Manchester City midfielder Rodri avoided a suspension for assaulting an official after last month’s 2-2 draw with Tottenham.
The Spain international launched an extraordinary outburst over the decision to concede Dominic Solanke’s goal, which sparked Spurs’ comeback.
However, following a hearing, the Independent Regulatory Commission imposed an £80,000 fine and warning for his future actions.
Rodri admitted to a charge of acting in an inappropriate manner during a post-match media interview, making comments that implied bias or called into question the integrity of a match official or match officials, contrary to FA Regulation E3.1.
Tottenham forward Solanke appeared to score by kicking Marc Guehi’s foot, and VAR reviewed the incident but ruled there was no foul.
“But today it’s different. It’s been two or three games in a row and I honestly don’t know why. We won too much and people don’t want us to win, but referees have to be neutral. Honestly, it’s not fair,” Rodri told Australian broadcaster Stan Sports after the match.
It is that word that the committee investigated. In its submission, the FA reiterated that it instructs players at the start of each season not to “prejudice or attack the integrity of match officials (including VAR officials)”.
The FA told the inquiry that the comments “went beyond criticism of individual decisions and conveyed the implication that the match officials were not acting neutrally and that the decisions were influenced by external or inappropriate considerations rather than honest error or error”.
Rodri said in a written opinion dated Feb. 10 that he recognizes the difficulty of the officials’ jobs and made it clear in interviews that he respects their work. He wrote: “It is therefore very unfortunate that my words have been misunderstood and misinterpreted by some media outlets.”
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Free to watch: Premier League highlights of Spurs vs. Manchester City
Rodri has previously cited the decision not to send Manchester United’s Diogo Dalot off for a challenge to Jeremy Doku and Anthony Semenyo’s goal against Newcastle in the Carabao Cup being overturned.
He added: “I was not saying that referees are not neutral (as the media article you sent me incorrectly suggests). I was saying that such things can be ruled out as explanations for why recent refereeing errors have occurred.”
In a second letter to the committee, dated February 23, Rodri wrote: “I would like to once again apologize for my words. I fully acknowledge that my words expressed were inappropriate and fell below the standards expected of a professional athlete.”
In that second letter, he reiterated that it was “not intended to imply bias or question the integrity of match officials.” He added: “After thinking about it, I realized that my choice of words was poor and could be interpreted in ways I did not intend.”
Manchester City reminded the commission that in previous cases involving Frank Lampard, Marco Silva and Chris Wilder over media comments that were said to suggest bias or call into question the integrity of match officials, the commission had imposed financial fines rather than sporting sanctions.
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Jamie Carragher said he understood Rodri’s views and his frustration at Tottenham Hotspur’s opening goal being conceded, but urged the midfielder to tread carefully in future interviews.
Rodri’s shocking interview
Rodri also said in the interview: “It’s unfair because we are working hard in this situation and now to make a decision like this we have to move forward.”
“Obviously, he needs to come back, but we’re frustrated because at the end, when it was all said and done, the foul was so obvious. He kicked his leg and of course with the push of the action on the ball the ball went in.”
“We have to pay attention to these little things, otherwise it will be difficult for everyone because this league is like this. I think today will be a very tough day for us in this sense because every detail is important and everything is important.”
VAR decisions in City’s games against Newcastle, Manchester United and Wolves in January are debatable.
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Was Rodri lucky to avoid a second yellow card during Manchester City’s 2-2 draw with Tottenham Hotspur – take a look at both incidents and hear what Gary Neville made of them both
A goal was denied by VAR in City’s 2-0 win over Newcastle in the Carabao Cup, and then Dalot avoided a red card for his challenge on Doc as Josep Guardiola’s side lost the Manchester derby.
And Rodri was furious at the latest decision, a week after referee Farai Haram refused to award City a penalty against Wolves, despite being told to review the incident on a pitchside monitor.
The player said, “I don’t know how to feel. I can see the video now, but I can’t see it on the pitch. It was a clear foul in the first movement of the goal.”
“This is a clear foul and there is a reason why we have VAR. Little things like this make a difference. We are trying to do our best. This is the first goal they have scored and maybe if they don’t score we will win the game.”
“Next game, next game, it’s impossible. And to be honest, I never talk about referees. I have a lot of respect for their work, but they have to be careful about these things. He kicked his leg. That’s obvious.”
“He expected Marc’s foot and it was a clear foul, but not today. It’s been two or three games in a row. To be honest, I don’t know why.”
