“We cannot understand the referes rules have changed the are always against me- Rodri furiously reacts to Premier league referee after getting his 7th booking of the season
Rodri of Manchester City disputes Premier League rules and refereeing decisions, saying, “We cannot understand.”
Manchester City midfielder Rodri admits he struggles to control his emotions during games, blaming the Premier League’s officiating standards and a rule book that confuses players.
The Spaniard drew his seventh Premier League yellow card of the season on Saturday against Newcastle, adding to the red card he received earlier in the season against Nottingham Forest. He is currently three bookings away from a third ban this season.
Chris Kavanagh received a yellow card at St James’ Park for a tackle on Bruno Guimaraes, who had just fouled Rodri in the centre circle. The challenge from the Brazilian, who had previously been booked, appeared to be a clear case of a second yellow card, but play continued before Rodri fouled his opposite number.
Rodri stated City’s players “don’t understand many things that happened” in the 3-2 win at Newcastle and that “the referee today was unbelievable in a negative way” before questioning the crackdown this season that has resulted in more yellow cards being issued.
“I have eight yellow cards [one in the Champions League] with two or three tackles, the others are like, I don’t know what, but it is what it is,” he was quoted as saying.
“There’s something we can’t fathom. I received a contact and a foul that was not a yellow card, and Bernardo’s next action is a yellow card, but this is how they chose to referee.
“So we need to attempt to forget. But, believe me, it’s not always easy.”
When asked if it has been tough to maintain composure at times this season owing to refereeing decisions, Rodri replied, “It is challenging. It is quite challenging since you want to win. They don’t want to hurry up; they’re content with a victory or a draw, and we want to keep pressing, and the referee doesn’t assist much, but we don’t want it; it’s just fair in both directions, which I believe they weren’t today.”
A slew of rule changes have perplexed some players, and a crackdown on dissent has resulted in an increase in the number of cards displayed in games. City have also had two players injured – John Stones and Ederson – in their past two away games as a result of offside flags remaining down so that play could be reviewed by VAR, only for the flag to rise once the opportunity had passed.
When told that no one understands the present rules, Rodri responded, “I agree. We have an injury as a result of the scenario we have been working to resolve over the previous few years. I believe it’s ludicrous.
“The fact that the ball goes in behind and 30 metres run could have been worse; fortunately, it was only a kick, but there are many injuries in this situation. So we need to see if it’s the best way to follow the game.
City’s frustrations on Tyneside were highlighted when Oscar Bobb scored the winner in injury time, with only three minutes added on, despite Newcastle’s time-wasting when leading.
Bernardo Silva flashed three fingers at fourth official Tim Robinson and Newcastle’s bench, while the Portuguese midfielder and Rodri appeared to be talking about the officials after the game.
With 17 minutes remaining, City trailed 2-1, but Kevin De Bruyne came off the substitute to score an equaliser and set up Bobb for the winner, with Rodri paying respect to both.
“Kev, with no physicality right now he has the talent to do these amazing things,” he went on to say. “With Kevin, everything is simple. This is the reality, and we need him. After all these years, we need him now. He’s going to be extremely important.
“I told him that his season begins now, and it will be crucial for us. Then there’s Oscar Bobb, who I’m quite thrilled for because he’s an academy kid. He scored an incredible goal. “He’ll be extremely important in the coming years.”
