Rodri Criticizes Referees, Faces £80K Penalty
Sports Updated: 09 March 2026 18:15 EAT
Manchester City Spanish midfielder Rodri
Manchester City midfielder Rodri has been fined £80,000 by the English Football Association after admitting to making improper comments about match officials following a Premier League game. The sanction was announced after a hearing before an independent regulatory commission.
The disciplinary action stems from remarks Rodri made after Manchester City’s 2–2 draw with Tottenham Hotspur on 1 February, where he suggested referees needed to be “neutral” and expressed frustration with officials’ decisions during the game.
The FA charged Rodri under its disciplinary regulations, which cover comments that imply bias or question the integrity of match officials. He accepted the charge ahead of the hearing.
At the hearing, the commission agreed that his comments met the threshold for improper conduct. Rodri was fined £80,000 and given a formal warning about future behavior, but no playing suspension was imposed.
The decision means Rodri will remain available for immediate selection by Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola, avoiding a ban that some observers had anticipated.
City’s frustration in the Tottenham match was heightened by a controversial moment when Tottenham’s Dominic Solanke scored a goal that many felt should have been ruled out for a foul. The draw came after City had led 2–0 in the first half.
Rodri’s remarks followed a tense period for the club, which had also seen other key decisions go against them in recent matches, reflecting broader concerns about officiating standards.
While fines and warnings are not uncommon in the Premier League for public criticism of referees, the fact that Rodri escaped a ban is significant given his importance to City’s midfield.
Manchester City now head into upcoming fixtures without missing the midfielder due to this charge, but the episode highlights ongoing tensions between clubs, players, and officials over conduct and media remarks in the modern game.
Tags: English Premier League Epl Signs Media Signs Media Kenya Limited Signsmedia Signstvkenya Sports Journalism Tottenham Tottenham Fc
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FELIX MAKONA
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