Rodri conceded after Manchester City’s 2-2 draw away with Tottenham on Sunday, after Dominic Solanke’s controversial opening goal was allowed by match officials and VAR.
Rodri slams match officials after Manchester City draw with Tottenham
Manchester City midfielder Rodri criticized the decision that allowed Tottenham to take the lead in Sunday’s 2-2 draw, saying referees “must be neutral” and could face free agency charges and a suspension.
City were left disappointed after Dominic Solanke’s first of two goals was allowed to stand by by match officials and VAR, despite the Spurs striker appearing to kick the back of Marc Guehi’s foot and put the ball into the back of the goal.
City were given unfavorable VAR decisions in games against Newcastle, Manchester United and Wolves in January, and Rodri appears to have doubts as to whether the authorities were being fair.
The Star subsequently reported that the FA were likely to downplay Rodri’s comments and could charge him with “questioning the integrity of match officials”.
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“I know we won too much and people don’t want us to win, but the referee has to be neutral and for me, to be honest, it’s not fair,” the Spanish midfielder told Australian broadcaster Stan Sports.
“This is unfair because we are working hard in these situations and to make these decisions we have to move on.
“Obviously he has to come back, but we’re frustrated because at the end, when it was all said and done, it was such an obvious foul. He kicked his leg and of course the push of the action on the ball went in.”
“You have to pay attention to these little things, otherwise it will be difficult for everyone, because this is how this league is. Every detail matters, everything matters. So I think today will be a very tough day for us in this sense.”
Dominic Solanke’s first goal was left controversial (Image: Charlotte Wilson/Getty Images)
A goal was denied by VAR in City’s 2-0 win over Newcastle in the Carabao Cup, and Diogo Dalot avoided a red card for a challenge on Jeremy Doku as Guardiola’s side subsequently 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 the leg. It’s very clear, very clear.”
“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.”
Premier League Match Center issued a statement on Sunday, saying: “The referee’s goal call was confirmed by VAR and Solanke’s challenge on Guehi was not deemed to be a foul as Solanke played the ball.”
“The Goal Certification Committee determined that this goal was Solanke’s.”
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