Rodri FA charge follows comments implying referee bias after Manchester City’s draw at Tottenham. Midfielder has until Feb 18 to respond

The Football Association has charged Rodri with misconduct after comments suggesting referees must be “neutral” following Manchester City’s controversial 2-2 draw with Tottenham Hotspur on February 1.

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Rodri criticised referee Robert Jones for allowing Dominic Solanke’s equaliser to stand, arguing the striker had kicked the back of City defender Marc Guehi’s leg in the act of scoring.

“I know we won too much and the people don’t want us to win, but the referee has to be neutral,” Rodri said in a post match interview with an Australian broadcaster. Rodri added that the decision felt unfair after the effort invested by the team.

In a statement on Friday, the Football Association said it was alleged that Rodri acted improperly by making comments that imply bias or question the integrity of a match official, contrary to FA Rule 3.1.

Rodri has until February 18 to respond to the charge and could face a suspension if found guilty, a potential setback as Manchester City seek to close a four point gap on Premier League leaders Arsenal.

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The case echoes a 2023 incident involving former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, who received a touchline ban after suggesting referee Paul Tierney had “something against” his side.