Rodri's Fiery Critique of Premier League Officiating After Controversial Spurs Draw
Manchester City's midfield linchpin Rodri has unleashed a blistering condemnation of Premier League refereeing standards, asserting that officials "have to be neutral" following a highly contentious decision during Sunday's dramatic 2-2 stalemate against Tottenham Hotspur. The Spanish international directed particular ire towards the allowance of Spurs' first goal, which he maintains was an unequivocal foul that should have been disallowed.
A Promising Lead Unravels Amid Controversy
City had initially established what appeared to be a commanding position in the match, securing a two-goal advantage during the first half through well-taken strikes from Rayan Cherki and Antoine Semenyo. This promising start positioned Pep Guardiola's side to potentially narrow the gap on Premier League leaders Arsenal to just four points, injecting fresh momentum into their title pursuit.
However, Tottenham mounted a spirited second-half resurgence, with Dominic Solanke credited for both of their equalising goals. The England forward's spectacular 70th-minute backheel captured attention, but it was his initial strike just eight minutes after the interval that ignited fury within the City camp. The incident saw Solanke appear to kick through the back of defender Marc Guehi's leg before scoring, sparking immediate protests from City players.
VAR Review Fails to Overturn Contentious Decision
Despite a subsequent Video Assistant Referee review, the decision stood, with officials determining that no foul had been committed during the buildup to the goal. This latest incident represents merely the most recent in a series of VAR decisions that have gone against Manchester City in recent matches, including notable fixtures against Newcastle United, Manchester United, and Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Speaking candidly to Australian broadcaster Stan Sport in the aftermath, Rodri articulated his growing frustration with what he perceives as inconsistent officiating. "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," the midfielder stated. "It's not fair because we work so hard in these situations and now to make these decisions, we have to move on."
A Pattern of Perceived Injustice
Rodri expanded upon his grievances, highlighting what he views as a troubling pattern emerging across multiple fixtures. "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," he explained. "He kicked the leg and of course with the push of the action on the ball, the ball goes in. We have to pay attention to these little things otherwise it's going to be difficult for everyone because this league is like this – it's about small details and everything counts."
The influential midfielder referenced several other recent decisions that have compounded City's sense of injustice, including:
- A disallowed goal by VAR during their 2-0 Carabao Cup victory over Newcastle
- Diogo Dalot avoiding a red card during City's Manchester derby defeat
- Referee Farai Hallam declining to award City a penalty against Wolves last weekend despite being advised to review the incident on the pitchside monitor
Questioning Consistency and Fairness
Upon reviewing match footage post-game, Rodri's frustration appeared to intensify. "I don't know how to feel. Now I see the images. On the pitch you don't see. It's a clear foul in the first action of the goal," he reflected. "It's a clear foul and VAR is there for a reason. These small details make the difference. We're trying to do our best, it's the first goal they scored and maybe if they don't score the goal, we win the game."
In a rare public critique of match officials from a player who typically maintains diplomatic silence on such matters, Rodri concluded: "It's one game and another game and it's not possible. And honestly I never speak about referees, I respect their job massively, but they have to pay attention to these things. He's kicked the leg. It's so clear, it's so clear. He anticipated the leg of Marc and it's a clear foul, but it's not today, it's two or three games in a row and I don't know why, honestly."
Official Clarification and Ongoing Debate
The Premier League Match Centre issued a statement on Sunday clarifying the controversial decision: "The referee's call of goal was checked and confirmed by VAR – with the challenge by Solanke on Guehi deemed not to be a foul as Solanke played the ball. The goal accreditation panel has adjudged the goal to be a Solanke goal."
This explanation has done little to placate Rodri or Manchester City's management, with manager Pep Guardiola also visibly incensed by the decision during the match. The incident has reignited debates about VAR consistency, referee interpretation of physical challenges, and the psychological pressure on officials when adjudicating matches involving the Premier League's dominant teams in recent seasons.
As the title race intensifies, such marginal decisions take on amplified significance, with Rodri's comments highlighting the growing tension between elite clubs and officiating bodies. The midfielder's unprecedented public criticism suggests a breaking point may have been reached regarding perceived injustices, setting the stage for further scrutiny of Premier League officiating in the crucial weeks ahead.
