Manchester City midfielder Rodri has been hit with an FA charge for comments made about referee Robert Jones following the 2-2 draw against Tottenham.
Rodri accused Jones of not being «neutral» during a post-match television interview.
City were particularly upset that replays showed Dominic Solanke kicked through the back of Marc Guéhi‘s leg to score as Spurs came back from 2-0 down to rescue a point.
Rodri has been charged with misconduct with the FA alleging that the Spain international «acted in an improper manner during a post-match media interview by making comments that imply bias and/or question the integrity of a match official.»
He has until Feb. 18 to respond.
With no specific sanctions set out in the rule book in relation to comments in the media, any punishment would be decided by the independent regulatory commission if Rodri is found guilty.
There is potential for a ban.
Former Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp was given a two-match suspension in April 2023 when he said referee Paul Tierney had «something against» his team.
The FA have not specified which of Rodri’s comments has earned the charge.
He said after the game at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium: «I know we won too much and the people don’t want us to win, but the referee has to be neutral.
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«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 [Solanke] kicked the leg, it’s so clear. It’s two, three games in a row and I don’t know why.»
