Boost for Arsenal in title race as Guardiola sweats over key player facing FA charge

Manchester City star midfielder Rodri is under investigation by the Football Association (FA) and could face a suspension following comments he made questioning the impartiality of match officials.

The Spanish international has been charged with misconduct for his remarks after City's 2-2 draw with Tottenham Hotspur.

The charge stems from his frustration over several refereeing decisions, particularly the one that allowed Tottenham's first goal to stand.

Rodri was incensed when a goal scored by Dominic Solanke was given, despite what he saw as a clear foul on Marc Guehi in the build-up. Both the on-field referee, Robert Jones, and the VAR upheld the decision, prompting the midfielder to suggest a troubling trend against his team.

"He's kicked the leg—it's so clear," Rodri stated after the match. "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."

In a post-match interview with Stan Sport, after City had let a 2-0 lead slip, Rodri elaborated on his grievances. "I don’t know how to feel, honestly," he said. "Now I see the images... basically a foul in the first action of the goal, it’s a clear foul! And VAR is for a reason, and these small details make the difference."

He continued, expressing a sense of accumulated injustice: "It’s one game, and another game, and another game. It’s not possible. We need to be fair in these situations. It’s not just one, because everyone can make a mistake... But when it’s one, two, three, four in a row…it’s not possible."

Adding another layer to the controversy, the Premier League’s Key Match Incidents Panel later reviewed the game. While they supported the decision to award the goal with a 4-1 vote, the panel also unanimously agreed that Rodri himself should have received a red card for a second bookable offence during the match.

The FA's regulations are clear that any comments implying bias from a match official can lead to disciplinary action.

Rodri has been given until Wednesday to formally respond to the charge, with a potential suspension looming over the key Manchester City player.