Rodri Charged by FA for Misconduct Following “Bias” Claims After Tottenham Draw

Manchester City and Spain midfielder Rodri has been officially charged with misconduct by the Football Association (FA) following his explosive post-match comments after City’s 2-2 draw with Tottenham Hotspur on February 1.
The charge, announced late Friday, stems from a TV interview with an Australian broadcaster in which the 29-year-old suggested that officials were no longer “neutral” when officiating Manchester City matches.
The Controversy: Solanke’s “Foul” and City’s Collapse
Manchester City appeared to be in total control at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, leading 2-0 at halftime thanks to goals from Rayan Sherki and Antoine Semenyo. However, the momentum shifted dramatically in the second half when Dominic Solanke scored to spark a Spurs comeback.
City players were incensed that Solanke’s first goal stood, claiming the striker had kicked the back of defender Marc Guehi’s leg in the build-up. Despite a VAR check, referee Robert Jones allowed the goal to stand. Solanke later leveled the game with a stunning scorpion kick, leaving City four points adrift of Premier League leaders Arsenal.

What Rodri Said
Speaking to Stan Sport after the final whistle, a visible frustrated Rodri didn’t hold back:

“I know we won too much and the people don’t want us to win, but the referee has to be neutral and for me honestly, it’s not fair. We work so hard in these situations… it’s one game, and another, and another. It’s not possible.”

He went on to reiterate that while he “massively respects” the job of the officials, the consistency of decisions against City had reached a breaking point.

The FA Statement
The FA has charged Rodri under Rule 3.1, which governs public comments made by players and staff regarding match officials. The governing body alleges that Rodri’s remarks “imply bias and/or question the integrity of a match official.”

The official FA statement read:
“Manchester City’s Rodri has been charged with misconduct in relation to comments that he made after their Premier League match against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, February 1, 2026. It is alleged that the midfielder acted in an improper manner by making comments that imply bias.”

Rodri has until Wednesday, February 18, to provide a formal response to the charge.

Could City Lose Their Key Man?
If found guilty by an independent regulatory commission, Rodri faces several possible penalties:

• A Fine: The most common outcome for first-time or less severe “improper” comments.

• A Touchline/Match Ban: Precedents exist for this; in 2023, Jurgen Klopp received a ban for suggesting a referee had “something against” his side.

• A Formal Warning: Usually reserved for minor infractions. For Manchester City, a suspension for Rodri would be a catastrophic blow. The Spaniard is widely considered the “engine room” of Pep Guardiola’s side, and his absence in a tight title race with Arsenal could prove decisive.

What Next?
City are back in action against Newcastle United on February 21. Whether Rodri will be available for that fixture depends on how quickly the FA moves following his response deadline on Wednesday.
With Guardiola already booked during the same Tottenham match for his own protests, the tension between the defending champions and the PGMOL (Professional Game Match Officials Limited) appears to be at an all-time high.