The FA fined Manchester City player Rodri $107,000 for remarks he made during the Citizens’ 2-2 draw with Tottenham Hotspur in February. Following the dismal outcome at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, the 29-year-old indicated that referee Robert Jones was not “neutral”.
Pep Guardiola’s side squandered a two-goal lead and were ultimately forced to share the spoils in what could prove to be a deciding result in the Premier League title race. The match’s aftermath extended well beyond the ground, as Rodri’s inflammatory remarks now had financial repercussions.
The 2024 Ballon d’Or winner was accused by the FA in a statement of acting “improperly during a post-match media interview by making comments that imply bias and/or question the integrity of a match official”. Rodri received a hefty fine; however, he only received a warning rather than a ban.
The Premier League has seen a lot of contentious refereeing calls this season, and Man City’s stalemate with Spurs only increased the cacophony. Dominic Solanke’s equaliser for Tottenham that evening infuriated the Citizens.
Rodri discovers FA punishment after Man City star
Rodri has also released a statement. “I would like to apologise again for the remarks I made during my post-match interview following the fixture against Tottenham Hotspur on February 1, 2026,” he stated. I acknowledge that the remarks I used were improper and did not live up to the expectations of a professional athlete.
“I want to be clear that I did not want to suggest prejudice or cast doubt on the match officials’ honesty. I have always had a lot of regard for referees and the challenging work they do in a hectic, high-pressure setting. My remarks were made at a frustrated moment following a poor outcome.
After some thought, I see that the words I used were poorly selected and may be read differently than I intended. After recovering from a major knee injury, Rodri has made 24 appearances for City this season. Right now, the team is seven points behind Arsenal and in second place in the Premier League.
In addition to securing a position in the Carabao Cup final, Pep Guardiola’s team is still in the FA Cup and Champions League.
