Man City’s Rodri Hit With £80k Fine Over Referee Criticism

By Paul Joseph

Manchester City midfielder Rodri has been fined £80,000 following comments he made about the referee after last month’s 2-2 Premier League draw at Tottenham.

The Spain international criticized referee Robert Jones for not being “neutral” after Dominic Solanke’s goal, which Rodri felt should have been disallowed for a foul on City defender Marc Guehi.

The Football Association confirmed Rodri admitted a charge of acting “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.”

In letters submitted to the FA, Rodri first claimed his words were “misunderstood and misinterpreted” but later acknowledged they were “inappropriate and fell below the standard expected.”

He wrote: “I did not intend to imply bias or question the integrity of the match officials. My comments were made in a moment of frustration after a disappointing result.

Upon reflection, I recognise that the words I used were poorly chosen and capable of being interpreted in a way that I did not intend.”

Rodri joined Manchester City from Atlético Madrid in 2019 and has been a key figure in the club’s midfield since.