‘They don’t want us to win!’: Raging Man City star Rodri cries refereeing conspiracy in ‘not fair’ Premier League title race as Arsenal go six points clear
Manchester City midfielder Rodri claimed that the club’s past glories are influencing how referees officiate their matches.
The former Ballon d’Or winner stressed that the number of calls to have gone against Pep Guardiola’s side in recent weeks is ‘not possible’ after Dominic Solanke’s first goal was allowed to stand during the 2-2 draw with Tottenham.
Solanke made contact with Marc Guehi when scoring but VAR cleared the goal after a lengthy check that also took in a possible offside.
Guardiola insisted that a foul would have been given had it been a defender challenging a striker, while Rodri was left seething with the decision.
‘He’s kicked the leg – it’s so clear,’ Rodri said. ‘He anticipated Marc and it’s a clear foul. But it’s not today, it’s two or three games in a row and I honestly don’t know why.
‘I know we won too much and the people don’t want us to win but the referee has to be neutral. For me it’s not fair. It’s not fair.’
Rodri believes Man City’s past success has influenced referees in not being fair towards them
Rodri believes Dominic Solanke’s first goal should have been ruled out for a foul on Marc Guehi
The midfielder’s remarks, mirror that of his manager who believes refereeing inconsistency cost Manchester City again.
The draw in north London means City have won just one of their last six games and they lie six points behind Premier League leaders Arsenal with 14 matches to play.
Guardiola has been outspoken about officials following high-profile incidents in games against Manchester United and Wolves.
‘It’s happened, once again,’ Guardiola said. ‘What can I say? Marc has the ball, he’s been kicked from behind, and it’s a goal. So what can I say? Nothing. One more.
‘If you do it to a striker it would be a penalty. I’m not a referee. Fascinating in the Premier League.’
Asked about a momentum shift during which Solanke scored a sensational scorpion kick to equalise, Guardiola added: ‘There was an emotional issue for the first goal that the referee conceded to Spurs, and after that, the momentum is difficult to control, it is whatever happens here in England.’
Guardiola was cautioned for his reaction to the goal being replayed on a big screen. He was recently suspended for an FA Cup tie against Exeter City for accumulating three yellow cards through the season.
Tottenham manager Thomas Frank admitted that the call made could have gone either way.
Pep Guardiola believes refereeing inconsistency cost his side in a 2-2 draw at Tottenham
‘There is contact from him,’ Frank said. ‘We want a higher threshold. I understand it’s in the grey area. I’m very happy it finally dropped for us.’
Frank has welcomed Solanke back after a lengthy injury lay-off in recent weeks and insisted there is significantly more to come from the 28-year-old.
‘Dom clearly struggled to run (at the end),’ Frank said. ‘We knew it would be a big push to play 90 minutes, he’s not there fitness-wise.
‘We’ve been a little bit forced to play him. But it’s four goals in four games at 80 per cent fitness.
‘Imagine City playing without Erling Haaland for six months. We’ve been quite hard hit with injuries in general. Dom was excellent.’
Frank also confirmed that captain Cristian Romero came off at half-time with an illness that had plagued him during the midweek victory in Frankfurt.
Guardiola suggested that City captain Bernardo Silva’s hamstring problem that appeared to force him off was not serious. City face Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday.
