Rodri Blasts "Conspiracy" Against Man City as Arsenal Surge Ahead in Title Race

An evidently incensed Rodri delivered a scathing attack on the officiating decisions that worked against Manchester City in Sunday's 2–2 stalemate with Tottenham Hotspur, urging the match official to remain "impartial" while asserting that this apparent bias will be celebrated since most people "don't want us to succeed."

Rodri's uncharacteristically passionate outburst stemmed from Dominic Solanke's opening goal for Spurs which reduced City's two-goal advantage. The Spanish playmaker contended that the Tottenham forward managed his strike only by making contact through Marc Guéhi's leg. Energized by the goal, Spurs orchestrated the comeback to leave City six points behind Arsenal at the top of the Premier League table.

"I'm not sure how to react, to be honest," a frustrated Rodri expressed to Stan Sport following Sunday's match. "Now seeing the replays—during the match, naturally you can't tell—it's an obvious foul."

Rodri emphasized again that the opening goal was "an obvious foul," becoming increasingly agitated with an intense stare toward his unfortunate interviewer. "VAR exists for this purpose," he stressed. "And these minor details determine the outcome.

"We're attempting to give our all. It's their first goal, perhaps they don't net a [second] goal, we secure the victory."

"And truthfully, I rarely discuss referees," Rodri proceeded in his extended criticism of the match officials. "I have enormous respect for their profession, but they must focus on these incidents. He struck the leg, it's absolutely evident. It's absolutely evident, he got ahead of Marc's leg. And it's an obvious foul. But it's not just today, it's been two, three matches consecutively. And I'm unsure why, honestly.

"I understand we've been too successful, and people simply don't want us to succeed. But the referee must remain impartial. And for me, honestly, it's unjust. It's unjust, because we've put in tremendous effort in these circumstances."

Pep Guardiola Loses His Cool

Pep Guardiola Loses His Cool

Rodri acknowledged that his verbal assault on the officials was partly motivated by Pep Guardiola's anger. "As the coach mentions..." the 29-year-old started.

Despite his clear frustration, Guardiola struggled to avoid discussing the foul. But when pressed on the matter by a journalist, he couldn't resist asking: "If it's a center-back against a forward it's a penalty, correct? You agreed, so you witnessed it."

City's embattled manager characterized it as "an emotional matter" and added mysteriously that it was "intriguing in the Premier League."

Even his Tottenham equivalent Thomas Frank appeared somewhat uncomfortable about the situation. "There's definite contact from him [Solanke] on it," he conceded. "We desire, generally, a higher threshold [for fouls]. I understand it's in the ambiguous zone."

From Rodri's perspective, City have been stuck in that ambiguous zone for far too long.

What Man City 'Injustices' Are Rodri Talking About?

What Man City 'Injustices' Are Rodri Talking About?

With VAR taking 5 minutes to overturn Semenyo's second for Man City this evening, does there need to be a review of the use of technology in the game? pic.twitter.com/aSUwK62Zjd

"It's one match, and another match and another match," Rodri complained. "And it's impossible."

City's suspicious perspective on VAR hit its peak on Sunday but has been simmering for weeks. Guardiola unleashed an extraordinary attack on the referees after Antoine Semenyo's second goal was disallowed for a tight offside against Newcastle United in the opening leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final. The Spanish manager referenced an ignored penalty on Phil Foden in the league encounter between the teams at St James' Park earlier this season before bringing up Dean Henderson's handball for Crystal Palace in last summer's FA Cup final.

Diogo Dalot was lucky to avoid a red card in Manchester United's derby victory over City when the match was still scoreless while Guardiola also questioned the referee's decision not to award a penalty in City's otherwise comfortable 2–0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers last weekend.

Farai Hallam ignored VAR's recommendation on his Premier League debut much to the obvious frustration of City's vocal manager. "The referee had a memorable debut, now everyone will remember him," Guardiola mocked before demanding referees' chief Howard Webb clarify why his team was refused a penalty.