Rodri escapes ban for referee rant after Man City’s draw with Tottenham | OneFootball

Manchester City midfielder Rodri has been handed an £80,000 fine and a warning over his future conduct after making critical comments about officiating following his side’s draw with Tottenham last month.

The Spain international faced a charge from the Football Association on 13 February, nearly two weeks after the 2-2 stalemate at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on 1 February.

Rodri had publicly stated that referees "have to be neutral" in an interview with Australian broadcaster Stan Sport.

After admitting the charge, an independent commission imposed the financial penalty and issued a warning.

The commission’s written reasons confirmed a unanimous decision against a sporting sanction, such as a playing ban, noting that the FA had not sought such a punishment in its submission.

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Rodri claimed Marc Guehi was fouled in the build-up to one of Tottenham’s goal (Action Images via Reuters)

Rodri’s rant came after he believed City should have been awarded a free-kick for a foul on Marc Guehi by Dominic Solanke before Tottenham’s first goal as the hosts battled back from two goals down to earn a point.

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

“It’s not fair because we work so hard in these situations and now to make these decisions, we have to move on.

“Of course you need to come back but at the end, when everything is finished, we are frustrated because it’s so clear, the foul."

Rodri avoiding a ban means that he is set to be available for City’s title run-in as they try to chase down leaders Arsenal.

Pep Guardiola’s men are currently seven points behind the Gunners, but have a game in hand.

The two teams are due to meet in the Carabao Cup final on 22 March, before clashing again in a huge league match at the Etihad Stadium on 19 April.