Manchester City’s Rodri questions referee neutrality after ‘clear foul’ against Tottenham

Manchester City midfielder Rodri claimed it was clear “people” do not want the club to win due to their past successes but that referees must remain “neutral” after taking issue with a decision during Sunday’s draw with Tottenham Hotspur.

Rodri, 29, argued referee Robert Jones missed a “clear foul” on Marc Guehi in the lead-up to Tottenham’s first goal in the 2-2 draw and demanded officials “pay attention”, suggesting the decision could have changed the course of the game.

Pep Guardiola’s side had gone 2-0 up in the first half before drawing 2-2 after two second-half goals from Dominic Solanke. Rodri said he “respects” the job of the referee but took issue after Solanke appeared to kick through Guehi as Spurs halved the deficit.

“Now I see the images on the pitch, it’s a clear foul in the first action of the goal,” Rodri told Australian broadcaster Stan Sport. “It’s a clear foul. And VAR is for a reason. And these small details make the difference. It’s the first goal they score, maybe if they don’t score this goal, we win the game.

“It’s one game and another game… 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. He anticipated Marc (Guehi) and 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 they don’t want us to win but the referee has to be neutral. And for me, honestly, it’s not fair.

“We have to pay attention to these little things. Otherwise it’s going to be difficult because this league is like this, it’s about small details and everything counts.”

The Premier League match centre confirmed that the goal had been checked by VAR, “with the challenge by Solanke on Guehi deemed not to be a foul”. Rodri argued it was not “just one” mistake that had led to his criticism. The Football Association has been contacted by The Athletic for comment.

City manager Guardiola has also been vocal in his criticism of refereeing decisions this season, suggesting last weekend that his side’s success has been achieved “despite” the officials.

The comment was made after his side were denied a penalty in a win against Wolverhampton Wanderers, with the ball appearing to hit Yerson Mosquera’s arm. Referee Farai Hallam chose not to award a spot kick after being sent to the pitch-side monitor by the VAR. Guardiola later apologised to Hallam, who had been officiating his first Premier League game, saying in quotes carried by the BBC that “if he is offended then I am so sorry. I know it’s not easy on debut”.

Manchester City’s draw against Tottenham on Sunday left them six points behind Arsenal after 24 games, the league leaders having won 4-0 against Leeds United on Saturday.

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