Credit: Imago

Evan Lloyd

Sun 8 March 2026 13:12, UK

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Manchester City midfielder Rodri was charged by the FA in February for comments he made after a draw against Tottenham.

The Spaniard was charged with misconduct and alleged to have made comments that implied bias and or questioned the integrity of a match official.

Rodri was left furious after Dominic Solanke’s first goal was allowed to stand despite a seemingly clear foul on Marc Guehi.

The striker looked to have kicked through the defender’s leg before the ball, with the goal halving the deficit as the Citizens gave up a two-goal lead to draw 2-2.

Man City’s performances have been transformed since the game, with Rodri yet to face any punishment despite the charges having been announced over three weeks ago.

Keith Hackett explains Rodri delay

The Premier League’s key match incidents panel, in fact, backed the referee’s decision not to rule out Solanke’s goal in February, instead focusing on a moment in which Rodri should have been handed a second yellow card in the same game.

Yet it is easy to see why Man City were left incensed by the decision, with the Tottenham striker seemingly making far more contact with Guehi’s leg than the ball.

Ex-PGMOL chief Keith Hackett exclusively told Football Insider that Solanke’s goal should have been disallowed, calling the decision “surprising and disappointing”.

Speaking after the game, Rodri said: “I know we won too much and the people don’t want us to win, but the referee has to be neutral. It’s not fair because we work so hard. When everything is finished, you are frustrated.”

Coming up to a month later, and a punishment for the Man City midfielder has still not been announced.

The delay has left some fans frustrated, especially due to the speed in other cases. Daniel Farke was charged on Wednesday with misconduct, with his punishment (a one-match suspension and fine) confirmed by Friday.

Hackett exclusively told Football Insider that the hold-up could be due to a legal dispute in relation to the charges.

“I suspect that the situation with regard to Rodri is locked in a series of legal letters passing between the FA Panel and the legal representatives of the player,” he said. “More than likely supported by his club.”

FA must deal with Rodri situation

There is, understandably, plenty of agitation surrounding Rodri’s charges due to his presence in the Premier League title race.

The midfielder is starting week in, week out for the Citizens in their chase of Arsenal, even scoring a crucial goal against Nottingham Forest on Wednesday.

While the punishment for Rodri’s comments is far more likely to come in the form of a fine rather than a ban, the charge cannot be allowed to continue to hang over the title race.

In what is already a tight race to the finish, the last thing the FA will want is accusations that their actions, or lack thereof, have affected the outcome.