Rodri has been fined for his comments about referees following Man City vs Spurs game

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Rodri fined for comments about the ref Man City Spurs game

Manchester City star Rodri has been fined a large sum for his comments about recent refereeing following the Blues’ game against Tottenham Hotspur last month.

The Man City midfielder and Spanish international has avoided a match ban, as many supporters first feared, but will still pay £80k as punishment for the remarks.

While perhaps not a huge figure for a Premier League footballer, he still admitted to questioning the officiating on the day, but did submit evidence to the board in arguing his case.

The Euro 2024 winner had already been charged by the FA following the comments a fortnight after the frustrating home draw, but was given until 18 February to respond/appeal.

At the time, little detail was revealed about what exactly was said to the ref, with Rodri accusing Rob Jones of not being neutral and acting in an ‘improper manner’, but it was his comments in the post-match zone that shone an extra spotlight on the situation.

Speaking to the media after the game, the 29-year-old said: “I know we won too much and the people don’t want us to win, but the referee has to be neutral. It’s not fair because we work so hard.

“When everything is finished, you are frustrated. It’s one game and another game and another game – and it’s not possible. Honestly, I never speak about referees; I respect their job massively, but they have to pay attention to these things.”

Rodri was referring to the equaliser by Dominic Solanke, who scored his brace in the 70th-minute to bring his team level, but City and many other football fans believed kicked through defender Marc Guehi’s leg to do so.

As a result, instead of a foul being given, the goal stood, the game ended 2-2, and Pep Guardiola’s side went on to drop crucial points in this year’s title race.

In case you missed any of it, you can see the challenge/controversial goal in question HERE, and listen to Rodri’s response in the immediate aftermath down below.

As you can see, he went on to insist that the incident was “so clear”, as well as intimating that this wasn’t the first time.

He and others around the club believe he and his teammates had been on the receiving end of some incorrect decisions for “two, three games in a row”, adding, “I don’t know why.”

What do you make of the choice to fine Rodri for his comments about referees, or do you think the central Man City cog should have even been punished?

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Featured Images — Sky Sports (screenshot via YouTube)

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