Rodri fined by FA but avoids ban over ‘referee has to be neutral’ comments

Manchester City midfielder admitted FA charge

Regulatory commission imposes £80,000 fine

Rodri has been fined £80,000 by a Football Association regulatory commission but escaped a sporting sanction for his comments criticising refereeing after Manchester City’s 2-2 draw at Tottenham in February.

The midfielder was unhappy that Dominic Solanke’s 70th-minute goal, after City had gone 2-0 up, was not disallowed. Solanke appeared to kick through the leg of Marc Guéhi, sending the ball off him and in.

After the game Rodri criticised the referee, Robert Jones. “I know we won too much and the people don’t want us to win, but the referee has to be neutral,” he said. “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. He kicked the leg, it’s so clear. It’s two, three games in a row and I don’t know why.”