The English Football Association considers that the Spanish player, at the end of a match against Tottenham on February 1, made comments that “call into question the impartiality and integrity of a referee.”
Manchester City footballer Rodri was fined €92,000 on Monday for criticising the refereeing, after insinuating at the end of the Tottenham match that there is a conspiracy against his team in the Premier League.
“I never talk about referees because I respect their work a lot, but it is not just today — it has been two or three games in a row now. Honestly, I don’t know why. We have been winning a lot and people don’t want us to win, but the referee has to be neutral. It is not fair because we work very hard and it is very frustrating,” the Spanish international said after the 2-2 draw with Tottenham in the Premier League on February 1.
Following his comments in the post-match interview area, the Football Association (FA) decided to sanction the midfielder for “acting improperly in a post-match interview by making comments which question the impartiality and/or integrity of a referee,” in breach of the institution’s rules.
Rodri criticised the referee’s performance in a match where City squandered a two-goal lead, also attacking the VAR for failing to flag what he described as a “blatant foul” preceding Tottenham’s first goal. The Spaniard also said it is currently “impossible” to speak to referees during matches.
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The FA confirmed that Rodri admitted the charge, and the regulatory commission imposed the fine along with a warning about his future conduct. Mitigating factors included his lack of prior offences, the fact that English is not his first language, and that he did not repeat the remarks made immediately after the match.
