Rodri did not hide his frustration following the 2-2 result against Tottenham, a game which saw City surrender a two-goal advantage and drop vital points in the Premier League title race.
However, while Rodri now faces potential disciplinary action, a separate Premier League panel has delivered its own verdict on the contentious moments that defined the contest.
Panel backs VAR calls and questions Rodri challenge
City appeared in control at half-time, leading 2-0 after a dominant opening 45 minutes. But the momentum shifted after the break as Tottenham fought back.
Dominic Solanke found the net twice to restore parity, with his goals proving decisive in denying Pep Guardiola’s side a crucial victory.
The flashpoint arrived in the build-up to Tottenham’s second-half equaliser. City players argued that Solanke had fouled Marc Guehi before scoring, insisting the challenge should have been penalised.
Referee Rob Jones allowed play to continue, and the goal stood after VAR review.
Rodri was incensed by the decision and made his feelings known in his post-match interview.
His anger centred on what he believed was a clear infringement in the build-up to the goal and a broader sense of injustice.
According to a BBC report, the Premier League’s Key Match Incidents (KMI) Panel later reviewed the match and supported the referee’s decision to award Solanke’s first goal.
The panel concluded that the striker had played the ball before any contact occurred, stating that Solanke “kicks the ball first before making contact with Guehi as both players arrive in the space simultaneously”.
In addition to backing the goal, the KMI Panel also indicated that Rodri himself was fortunate to remain on the pitch.
The group insisted that the midfielder should have been shown a red card during the match for a separate incident, a judgement that adds further complexity to the debate around officiating standards.
The panel’s conclusions are significant. While they do not alter the result, they provide an independent assessment of contentious decisions and are often used to evaluate consistency in refereeing.
In this instance, their review sided with the officials on the key moments that sparked City’s frustration.
For Guardiola’s team, the dropped points could prove costly in a tightly contested title race.
Fine margins frequently determine outcomes at the top of the Premier League, and the manager has repeatedly emphasised the importance of concentration and discipline in decisive moments.
Yet it was Rodri’s public reaction that has since drawn the most attention.
FA charge follows post-match comments
In the immediate aftermath of the draw, Rodri delivered a passionate critique of the officiating, suggesting that City were not being treated impartially. His comments have now led to formal action from the Football Association.
A statement from the FA confirmed the charge, explaining: “It’s alleged that the midfielder acted in an improper manner during a post-match media interview by making comments that imply bias and/or question the integrity of a match official and/or match officials, contrary to FA Rule 3.1.”
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The governing body takes a firm stance on remarks that question referees’ neutrality or integrity, and Rule 3.1 is designed to protect match officials from accusations of bias.
If found guilty, Rodri could face a fine or suspension, depending on the severity of the breach.
Noted that after the match, Rodri did not hold back in expressing his disappointment. He said: “I know we won too much and the people don’t want us to win but the referee has to be neutral and for me honestly, it’s not fair. It’s not fair because we work so hard in these situations and now to make these decisions, we have to move on.
“Of course you need to come back but at the end, when everything is finished, we are frustrated because it’s so clear the foul.
“He kicked the leg and of course with the push of the action on the ball, the ball goes in. We have to pay attention to these little things otherwise it’s going to be difficult for everyone because this league is like this – it’s about small details and everything counts, so I think today is a very tough day for us in this sense.”
