Rodri fumes: “The referee has to be neutral” as Man City rage at VAR decision in Spurs draw

Manchester City’s growing frustration with Premier League officiating spilled into the spotlight again on Sunday night, with Rodri now facing the possibility of an FA charge after speaking out following City’s controversial 2-2 draw with Tottenham.

The reigning champions let a two-goal lead slip against Spurs, but much of the post-match discussion centred on Dominic Solanke’s first goal – an incident City players and staff felt should never have stood. While the result itself dented City’s momentum, the fallout from Rodri’s comments could yet cause further problems for Pep Guardiola’s side.

The moment that changed the game

City appeared to be in full control before Spurs were handed a lifeline through Solanke’s opener. As Marc Guehi stepped across to shield the ball inside the penalty area, Solanke made contact from behind, kicking through the City defender’s leg. The ball ricocheted off Guehi and into the net.

On-field officials allowed the goal to stand, and VAR checks did little to calm City’s anger. After a review, the decision was upheld, with officials ruling that Solanke had played the ball and that no foul had been committed.

For City, it was a turning point. Spurs, previously struggling to gain a foothold in the game, suddenly found belief. They pushed forward with renewed energy and eventually grabbed an equaliser, leaving Guardiola’s men with just a point from a match they felt they should have won.

Rodri breaks his silence

Rodri, usually one of the more measured voices in City’s dressing room, did not hide his frustration when speaking to Australian broadcaster Stan Sport. The Spanish midfielder hinted that City’s dominance in recent years may have influenced how decisions are viewed.

“I know we won too much and the people don’t want us to win,” Rodri said. “But the referee has to be neutral and for me honestly, it’s not fair.”

He stressed that the issue was not just one decision, but a pattern that City feel has emerged over recent weeks.

“We work so hard in these situations and now to make these decisions, we have to move on,” he added. “But at the end, when everything is finished, we are frustrated because it’s so clear the foul. He kicked the leg.”

Rodri’s comments continued as he reflected on how fine margins often decide Premier League matches.

“This league is about small details and everything counts,” he said. “Today is a very tough day for us in this sense.”

Risk of FA action

According to reports, including from Daily Express, the Football Association are considering whether Rodri’s comments crossed a line. The FA takes a strict stance on any remarks that could be seen as questioning the integrity or neutrality of match officials.

By suggesting that referees may not be neutral, even indirectly, Rodri could be charged under FA rules. If found guilty, the City midfielder may face a fine or even a suspension – a serious concern for Guardiola given Rodri’s importance to the team.

The 27-year-old is widely regarded as one of the best holding midfielders in the world, and City’s performances often dip noticeably when he is absent. Any ban would be a significant blow as City continue to fight on multiple fronts.

A run of controversial decisions

Rodri’s frustration did not come out of nowhere. City have felt hard done by in several recent matches involving VAR and refereeing calls.

Earlier in January, City were denied a goal during their Carabao Cup win over Newcastle after a VAR intervention. In the Manchester derby defeat, United’s Diogo Dalot avoided a red card for a challenge on Jeremy Doku, another decision that angered Guardiola.

Only last week, referee Farai Hallam declined to award City a penalty against Wolves, despite being sent to the pitchside monitor to review the incident. For Rodri, these moments have started to feel connected rather than isolated.

“It’s not today, it’s two or three games in a row and I don’t know why, honestly,” he said. “I respect their job massively, but they have to pay attention to these things.”

The official explanation

In response to the controversy, the Premier League Match Centre released a statement on Sunday evening clarifying why Solanke’s goal was allowed.

“The referee’s call of goal was checked and confirmed by VAR,” the statement read. “The challenge by Solanke on Guehi was deemed not to be a foul as Solanke played the ball.”

The goal accreditation panel later confirmed the strike as Solanke’s, closing the door on any retrospective change to the result.

What it means for City

From City’s perspective, the bigger concern now may not be the dropped points, but the potential loss of Rodri. Guardiola has often spoken about how difficult it is to replace the balance and control the midfielder brings.

Beyond that, the incident adds fuel to the wider debate about VAR’s role in the Premier League. While the technology was introduced to reduce errors, moments like this continue to divide opinion and leave players feeling powerless.

For Rodri, his comments were born out of frustration rather than malice. Whether the FA see it the same way will become clear in the coming days.