Rodri Slams VAR After Man City’s Draw at Tottenham

Manchester City Midfielder Rodri Voices Frustration Over Tottenham Draw

Manchester City’s 2-2 draw at Tottenham Hotspur has sparked heated debate, with star midfielder Rodri openly criticizing Premier League referees and the use of VAR. The Spanish international, who recently won the Ballon d’Or, expressed his anger post-match, claiming that “they don’t want us to win” after a series of contentious decisions went against his side in North London.

Rodri Claims Unfair Treatment in Premier League Title Race

Rodri’s frustrations boiled over following a dramatic encounter at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. City, leading 2-0 thanks to goals from Rayan Cherki and Antoine Semenyo, looked to be cruising to victory before a spirited comeback from Spurs. Dominic Solanke led the charge for the hosts, scoring twice—his first effort deflecting off Marc Guehi, while his second was a spectacular scorpion kick.

Despite City’s dominant first half, the mood shifted after Solanke’s controversial first goal. Both Rodri and manager Pep Guardiola argued that Solanke had kicked through Guehi in the build-up, yet VAR allowed the goal to stand. This incident echoed recent grievances City have had with refereeing decisions, notably in matches against Newcastle, Manchester United, and Wolves.

VAR Decisions Under Scrutiny

Manchester City’s camp now feels a pattern of inconsistency is emerging, with Rodri highlighting that crucial calls are repeatedly going against them. Speaking to Stan Sport, the midfielder lamented, “I know we won too much and the people don’t want us to win, but the referee has to be neutral. It’s not fair—we work so hard in these situations and to have these decisions go against us is tough.”

He continued, “There’s a clear foul. Solanke kicked the leg, and with the push, the ball goes in. We need to pay attention to these little things, or it’s going to be difficult for everyone. This league is about small details, and everything counts.”

Rodri’s Remarks Highlight Manchester City’s VAR Concerns

The match left the Blues six points behind Premier League leaders Arsenal, casting further doubt over their title challenge. Rodri’s post-match comments underscored a growing sense of injustice within the squad: “Now I see the images, and it’s a clear foul in the first action of the goal. VAR is there for a reason, but these small details make the difference. We’re trying our best, but it’s one game after another. Honestly, I never speak about referees; I respect their job, but they have to pay attention to these things.”

Guardiola was equally blunt, telling the BBC, “Once again… have you seen it? Marc has the ball, he’s been kicked from behind, and it’s a goal—nothing. If you do it to a striker, it would be a penalty. I’m not a referee. Fascinating in the Premier League.”

City Remain in Contention Despite Setbacks

Despite dropping points, Manchester City remain firmly in the chase for silverware on multiple fronts. A crucial week awaits, with the second leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final against Newcastle at the Etihad Stadium, followed by a high-stakes clash with Liverpool at Anfield.

Guardiola and his players must quickly regroup and refocus, as every decision and performance counts during this decisive stage of the season. For supporters looking for more news and updates on City’s campaign, visit for more news.

Opinion: VAR Frustration Must Be Balanced with Performance

While Rodri’s criticism of refereeing standards and VAR is understandable given the stakes, Manchester City must also look inward to ensure they capitalize on leads and control games until the final whistle. Officiating controversies will always exist in football, but resilience and focus will be crucial in the coming weeks if City are to keep pace in the title race.