Former Manchester City star Rodri has publicly backed his old club as they navigate a significant legal challenge following a ruling that found them responsible for numerous breaches of Premier League financial regulations. The midfielder, who completed a move to Barcelona in August after making 298 appearances for City between 2018 and 2026, insists that he remains supportive of the institution unless definitive evidence of wrongdoing is established.
Reflecting on the 2020 precedent
Addressing the press ahead of Spain’s Uefa Nations League fixture against England at Wembley, the 30-year-old emphasized that the playing squad shares a unified perspective. “They always express the confidence that they never did something wrong and we believe in that,” he stated. Rodri noted that the current situation mirrors previous challenges faced by the club, particularly the 2020 case where Uefa initially imposed a two-year ban before the Court of Arbitration for Sport eventually cleared City of financial fair play violations.
- Rodri draws parallels between the current Premier League case and the 2020 acquittal, maintaining trust in the judicial process.
- He explicitly stated: “We had the example of 2020 that the process was the same and at the end nothing happened.”
- The player reiterated his stance by adding, “I believe in the justice system, and I believe in the innocence of the club.”
- Regarding potential title stripping, Rodri declared: “What we did, they cannot take from us.”
- He characterized the team’s historic achievements as being earned through collective effort and daily dedication rather than financial factors.
Political reaction to the commission report
The implications of the case have extended beyond the sporting sphere, drawing comments from high-ranking political figures. Prime Minister Andy Burnham has cautioned the public against reacting hastily to the findings of the independent commission. Speaking to ITV Granada, Burnham stressed the importance of carefully examining the full report before forming opinions on the situation.
“I would have to look at the report of the independent commission, and people shouldn’t jump to those kinds of conclusions,” Burnham remarked. He acknowledged that the ongoing dispute between the club and the league has been an extensive and highly contested legal battle. “I think it has been quite a contested process,” he noted, adding that it is not as straightforward as many might assume. The Prime Minister underscored that a thorough analysis of the commission’s documentation is necessary for anyone seeking to understand the gravity and nuances of the ongoing proceedings.
While City prepares for a formal appeal against the findings related to the 115 alleged breaches, the discourse continues to highlight the tension between the club’s established era of dominance and the regulatory scrutiny applied to their activities between 2009 and 2018. For Rodri, the memories of winning eight major trophies, including three Premier League titles, remain untarnished by the current legal uncertainty. Although they are set to appeal, city have been found guilty of breaking the majority of the 115 financial rules they were accused of breaching by the Premier League.
