Manchester City’s dramatic draw with Tottenham has triggered another fierce debate about refereeing in the Premier League as midfielder Rodri criticised VAR system in an unusually outspoken assessment of officials
The Sky Blues appeared on course for a crucial victory that would have tightened the title race, only for a disputed goal to alter the direction of the contest and leave City figures simmering with frustration.
Pep Guardiola’s side had controlled long periods of the encounter and looked comfortable after establishing a two-goal advantage before the interval.
Yet football’s familiar capacity for chaos surfaced again in north London, where Tottenham fought back to claim a 2-2 result that felt like a defeat to the visitors.
At the centre of the storm was Dominic Solanke’s first goal, a moment Rodri insists should never have been allowed to stand.
City’s anger was not limited to a single incident. The club believe they have been on the wrong end of several pivotal calls in recent weeks, and the Spaniard’s post-match comments reflected a growing sense within the squad that the balance of decisions has tilted unfairly against them.
Rodri criticised VAR system and chose to voice his concerns in forthright terms. Speaking to Australian broadcaster Stan Sport, 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.”
The midfielder explained that emotions were raw because the team believed the match had been taken from their control.
“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.”
Rodri emphasised how marginal moments can determine an entire season, adding: “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.”
His comments echoed the feelings of Guardiola, who has repeatedly urged officials to offer greater consistency.
The Catalan stopped short of direct criticism in his own interview but admitted the decision had changed the complexion of the game.
The Tottenham episode arrives amid a series of contentious rulings involving City. Earlier this month they saw a goal ruled out by VAR during their Carabao Cup win over Newcastle, while supporters remain aggrieved that Diogo Dalot escaped a red card in the Manchester derby defeat.
Last weekend’s trip to Wolves brought further irritation when referee Farai Hallam declined to award a penalty despite being encouraged to review the incident on the monitor.
Such a pattern has fuelled suspicion among fans that the Cityzens are not receiving the same protection as rivals.
Although Rodri criticised VAR system, he stopped short of alleging bias and only questioned how similar situations continue to be interpreted against his side.
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After reviewing the footage of Solanke’s challenge, he admitted his disbelief had only increased.
“I don’t know how to feel. Now I see the images. On the pitch you don’t see. It’s a clear foul in the first action of the goal. It’s a clear foul and VAR is (there) for a reason.”
The Spaniard suggested the outcome of the entire match hinged on that single judgement. “These small details make the difference. We’re trying to do our best, it’s the first goal they scored and maybe if they don’t score the goal, we win the game.”
Perhaps most notable was Rodri’s insistence that he rarely criticises officials, underlining the depth of his frustration.
“It’s one game and another game and it’s not possible. And honestly I never speak about referees, I respect their job massively, but they have to pay attention to these things.”
He reiterated his belief that the evidence was overwhelming: “He’s kicked the leg. It’s so clear, it’s so clear. He anticipated the leg of Marc and it’s a clear foul, but it’s not today, it’s two or three games in a row and I don’t know why, honestly.”
