Former Manchester City midfielder Rodri voiced firm belief in the club’s innocence regarding 114 Premier League financial charges. Speaking ahead of Spain’s match against England at Wembley, the player drew parallels to City’s overturned 2020 UEFA ban.
Rodri Backs Manchester City Amid Financial Rule Verdict
Former Manchester City midfielder Rodri has broken his silence on the club’s legal turmoil, declaring absolute faith in their innocence despite a damning verdict finding the club guilty of 114 financial rule breaches. The charges stem from an extensive period covering rule infractions between 2009 and 2018, alongside 35 counts of failing to cooperate with Premier League investigations between 2018 and 2023.
Speaking at a news conference at Wembley before Spain’s UEFA Nations League fixture against England, the 30-year-old midfielder—who moved to Barcelona in August after joining Manchester City from Atletico Madrid for £60 million in 2019—made it clear that the squad stands united behind club leadership while an appeal is prepared.
The player added that team members never displayed nervousness throughout the prolonged legal scrutiny.
Echoes of the 2020 UEFA Court Case and CAS Acquittal
For Rodri and his former teammates, the current judicial pressure brings an immediate sense of deja vu. In 2020, UEFA initially handed the club a two-year European ban and a €30 million fine before the Court of Arbitration for Sport overturned the decision in July 2020, clearing City of separate financial fair play charges.
Rodri said via the BBC that they had the example of 2020 showing the process was the same and in the end nothing happened, adding that they had faced something similar with a comparable judicial process involving a different accusation but a similar process.
That prior acquittal preceded a dominant golden era for the club. Following the 2020 ruling, Rodri anchored a squad that reached three successive Champions League semi-finals, secured a treble capped by a final win in 2023, and achieved a four-peat title run between 2021 and 2024.
Trust in the Justice System and Daily Club Operations
While public opinion and rival supporters view the massive ledger of charges with severe concern, Rodri emphasized that players witness a different reality behind closed doors. He pointed to the dedication of the entire organization, stretching from ownership down to the day-to-day staff.
Rodri stated to Vavel that he believed in the justice system and the innocence of the club, explaining that the situation felt different for the players compared to everyone else, while acknowledging that he understood all kinds of opinions and that the matter had grown large.
The midfielder maintained that observing how the club cooperates and operates on a daily basis reinforces the players’ trust. Until formal proof changes the outcome, the squad remains aligned with the club’s defense.
Protecting a Legacy on the Pitch
The Premier League case covers a span during which Manchester City captured eight major trophies, including three league titles, three League Cups, one Community Shield, and one FA Cup. Addressing speculation that regulatory penalties might strip the club of past silverware, Rodri dismissed the notion entirely.
Rodri told the BBC that nobody could take away what they had accomplished, describing it as something money could not buy because it was earned through effort, hardship, and standing shoulder to shoulder every day.
As Manchester City prepares to mount an appeal against the verdict, the former anchor of their midfield insists that his time in England represents one of the finest eras in the nation’s football history.