Manchester City’s Rodri accused the referee of anger after the match against Tottenham Hotspur

Manchester City midfielder Rodri has been charged by the English Football Association after he said referees should be «neutral» following his side’s controversial match with Tottenham.

Rodri was outraged by referee Robert Jones’ decision to allow Dominic Solanke’s goal in City’s 2–2 draw against Tottenham in the Premier League on 1 February.

He said Solanke’s goal should have been disallowed because the Tottenham forward kicked the back of City defender Marc Guehi’s leg while scoring.

«I know we won too much and people don’t want us to win, but the referee has to be neutral,» Rodri told an Australian broadcaster after Tottenham fought back from two goals down.

«It’s not fair because we work so hard. When everything is done, you’re frustrated,» he added.

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The FA announced on Friday that the 29-year-old had been charged with misconduct following his comments.

“It is alleged that during a post-match media interview the midfielder acted in an inappropriate manner by making comments implying bias and/or questioning the integrity of a match official and/or match officials, in breach of FA Rule 3.1,” an FA statement said.

Rodri has until February 18 to respond to the charges, with a possible suspension if found guilty.

That would be a major blow to City’s hopes of closing the four-point gap on Premier League leaders Arsenal hgtgdfgdtr16.

In 2023, then Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp was handed a touchline ban after suggesting referee Paul Tierney had “something against” his side.

Published on February 13, 2026