The English Football Association has announced a fine of £80,000 for Spaniard Rodri, Manchester City midfielder, following his controversial comments about the performance of referees after a recent match.
Rodri had stated after the match:
"I know we've won a lot and people don't want us to win, but the referee has to be impartial. It's not fair because we work so hard, and when it's all over, you feel frustrated.".
The FA's disciplinary committee explained that Rodri submitted two letters as part of the evidence in the case. In his first letter, he stated that his comments had been "misunderstood and misinterpreted by some media outlets." In his second letter, he admitted that his remarks were "inappropriate and below the expected standard," emphasizing that he did not intend to suggest bias or question the integrity of the referees.
In his second letter, Rodri said: “I have always had, and still have, great respect for referees and the great effort they put in in a fast-paced and high-pressure environment. My comments were made in a moment of frustration after a disappointing result, and after reflection I realized that my words were poorly chosen and could be interpreted in a way I did not intend.”.
This decision comes as part of the English Football Association's commitment to maintaining respect for referees and ensuring adherence to professional conduct standards within the stadiums.
