Manchester City’s Rodri charged after heated rant against referees
The Spanish midfielder was charged with misconduct after hitting out at the referees.
Manchester City midfielder Rodri has been charged with misconduct following his comments on referees which came in the aftermath of his side’s 2-2 draw with Premier League strugglers Tottenham Hotspur.
Spurs’ Dominic Solanke scored during the tense affair but replays appeared to show that the English forward made heavy contact with Marc Guéhi’s leg in the moments prior to the goal; Rodri hit out at the officiating team following the final whistle.
“I know we won too much and the people don’t want us to win, but the referee has to be neutral,” he said after the game. “It’s not fair because we work so hard. When everything is finished, you are frustrated.”
Rodri gave an intense speech about referees and VAR after the match against Tottenham.😯 pic.twitter.com/bWm05Wbm1q
— Footybuzz (@footybuzzHQ) February 13, 2026
“I never speak about referees... but they have to pay attention”
The comments were picked up by the English Football Association, who deemed that the player acted in an “improper manner” and his comments “impl[ied] bias and/or question the integrity of a match official”.
“It’s the first goal they score, maybe [if] they don’t score this goal we win the game,” he added.
“It’s one game and another game and another game, and it’s not possible,” Rodri continued, appearing to imply that the refereeing decision he did not agree with was not an uncommon occurrence across the season.
“Honestly, I never speak about referees,” he said, before continuing to 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, three games in a row and I don’t know why.”
Rodri has been charged by the FA with misconduct in relation to comments made towards match officials after Man City's 2-2 draw against Spurs. pic.twitter.com/t7rDGGx5J8
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) February 13, 2026
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Rodri’s punishment has not been confirmed; he has until February 18 to respond to the charge and may face a suspension if he is found guilty.
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