Rodri discovers his punishment for his comments on ‘bias’ referees in Premier League title race twist
Rodri has escaped a ban after admitting an FA misconduct charge for implying bias against Manchester City by officials – but was handed an £80,000 fine.
The Ballon d’Or winner was left seething after Robert Jones and the VAR awarded a Dominic Solanke goal amid a collision with Marc Guehi during a 2-2 draw with Tottenham last month.
Rodri’s comments during a broadcast interview are alleged to have questioned the integrity of referees that ultimately spanned a number of recent matches – including a derby defeat at Old Trafford and victory over Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup.
‘It’s not today, it’s two, three games in a row,’ he said. ‘And I don’t know why honestly. We won too much and the people, they don’t want us to win, but the referee has to be neutral. It’s not fair.’
An independent commission, including ex-Blackburn Rovers midfielder Stuart Ripley and Southampton defender Francis Benali, found the case worthy to hand down a financial penalty but not to impose a suspension.
Rodri also argued it was ‘deeply unfortunate’ that his words had been ‘misunderstood and misinterpreted’ when responding to a request for his observations a week after the draw.
Rodri has escaped a ban but been fined £80,000 after his explosive post-match interview last month claiming Man City’s past success has influenced referees in not being fair towards them
Rodri’s availability will come as a relief for City as they try to chase Arsenal in the title race
‘There are, of course, more people who don’t support Man City than do,’ he wrote in a letter dated February 10. ‘Naturally, supporters of other clubs who have witnessed our success in recent years will not want to see that success continue.
‘That thought process doesn’t apply to referees, who are professionally neutral in performing their roles. I did not say that referees are not neutral (as the media articles you have sent to me wrongly suggest).
‘I meant that this can be ruled out as an explanation as to why referee mistakes have happened recently.’
Rodri was charged three days later and accepted that when penning a second letter, on February 23, where he apologised, claiming ‘great respect’ for referees.
‘I fully accept that my words, as expressed, were inappropriate and fell below the standard expected of me,’ he said.
‘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.’
The independent commission considered his comments to have implied bias on the part of the match officials and fined the central midfielder what is believed to be the largest ever financial sanction for an individual relating to the implication of bias. Fulham boss Marco Silva was also hit with an £80,000 penalty.
