The Football Association has charged Manchester City player Rodri with misconduct for statements he made concerning referees after his side’s 2-2 draw at Tottenham earlier this month.
The 29-year-old was incensed that a Dominic Solanke goal was allowed to stand after the Spurs forward seemed to kick through the leg of City defender Marc Guehi.
While the FA did not clarify the specific comments the allegation refers to, Rodri accused referee Robert Jones of not being “neutral.”
“I know we won too much, and the people don’t want us to win, but the referee has to be neutral,” said the Spain international after the game.
“It’s not fair because we work so hard. When everything is finished, you are frustrated.”
Rodri is accused of acting in an “improper manner” by making comments that “imply bias and/or question the integrity of a match official.”
He has until 18 February to respond to the charge.
On February 1, City led 2-0 at halftime at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and appeared to be on their way to three points until Solanke’s contentious 53rd-minute strike gave the hosts hope.
He then drew Spurs level with 20 minutes remaining.
In his post-match interview, Rodri stated that Solanke’s opening goal had the potential to change the outcome of the game.
“It’s the first goal they score; maybe [if] they don’t score this goal, we win the game,” he said.
He then claimed that City had been subjected to poor decisions by referees throughout the season, during which they are presently second in the Premier League table, four points behind Arsenal.
“It’s one game and another game and another game—and it’s not possible,” added Rodri.
“Honestly, I never speak about referees; I respect their job massively. But they have to pay attention to these things.
“He (Solanke) kicked the leg; it’s so clear… It’s two or three games in a row, and I don’t know why.”
Meanwhile, all five members of the Premier League’s Key Match Incidents Panel (KMI) agreed that Rodri should have been sent off in the same game against Spurs.
The midfielder, who was already on a caution, fouled Wilson Odobert in the second minute of added time, but the referee did not issue a red card for a second bookable offense.
According to the KMI Panel, there was “a clear foul by Rodri, which stops a promising attack” that “should have been punished by a second caution.”
This is the third time this season that referee Jones has missed a second yellow card. He should have also sent off City defender Ruben Dias at Nottingham Forest and Newcastle’s Malick Thiaw against Bournemouth.
The KMI Panel also voted 4:1 to accept Solanke’s first goal versus City.
It was reported that the Tottenham striker “kicks the ball first before making contact with Guehi as both players arrive in the space simultaneously.”
