Rodri facing ban over ref bias claims

MANCHESTER CITY midfielder Rodri is facing a potential ban after he was charged with misconduct by the FA for questioning the integrity of referees.

The Spaniard seethed at the standard of officiating in City’s 2-2 draw at Tottenham earlier this month by claiming that ‘people don’t want us to win’. Rodri said that it was ‘not possible’ that referee Robert Jones and the VAR awarded Spurs’ first goal after Dominic Solanke made contact with Marc Guehi before scoring. ‘He’s kicked the leg — it’s so clear,’ Rodri said. ‘It’s a clear foul. But it’s not today, it’s two or three games in a row and I honestly don’t know why. ‘I know we won too much and the people don’t want us to win but the referee has to be neutral. For me it’s not fair.’ The Premier League’s Key Match Incidents Panel backed the decision to award Solanke’s goal by a vote of 4-1. They also unanimously voted that Rodri should have been sent off in that game, when he avoided a second yellow card.

Rodri has until Wednesday to respond.