Rodri Expresses Belief in Man City's Innocence Amidst Premier League Charges

Former Manchester City captain Rodri has stated his belief in the club's innocence, asserting that their success cannot be diminished despite reports of guilt in a significant number of Premier League rule break charges. Rodri, who departed Manchester City for Barcelona in the summer, became the first individual associated with the club to publicly address the situation.

Daily Mail Sport understands an independent panel found Manchester City guilty of all but one of the 115 charges leveled against them. The verdict carries the potential for severe sanctions, including substantial points deductions, financial penalties, or even relegation. There is also the possibility that points deductions could be applied retroactively, potentially leading to the stripping of league titles.

When questioned about the verdict ahead of Spain's Nations League match against England, Rodri drew a parallel to a previous 2020 UEFA charge that resulted in a Champions League ban and fine, which was later overturned on appeal by the Court of Arbitration for Sport. "We have faced something similar in 2020 if I remember correctly, a similar process, a different accusation but similar process," Rodri said. "In the first instance we were found guilty but we believed in the club and the innocence the club maintained, and in the end we ended up being acquitted. I believe in the justice system and I believe in the innocence of the club."

Rodri indicated that the club has consistently expressed confidence in their innocence. "They always tell us the confidence of their innocence and when you look in someone’s eyes and they are talking in that way – and we have the example of 2020 the process was the same and at the end nothing happened – we were very calm in this way," he stated. He added that while such situations are not normal, they are part of modern football, and stressed the importance of following rules.

Rodri, who won four Premier League titles, a Champions League, two FA Cups, three League Cups, and a FIFA Club World Cup during his tenure, emphasized that the achievements of the players and staff cannot be erased. "For us, the players, it is a different thing. For you guys there are all kinds of opinions but we always tried to think in a positive way," he remarked. "When you live daily in that club and all the people that worked hard all these years to have all the success we have had, not only Pep [Guardiola] and the players, but from the owners to the guys that work daily, what we did they cannot take it out of us. It is not something that is paid by money, it is paid with effort and partnership, being shoulder to shoulder every day."

Maze City plans to appeal the verdict. A spokesperson for the club stated: "The Premier League process remains ongoing, with significant elements to be completed, and subject to strict confidentiality. As such Manchester City FC’s position remains consistent with the Club’s statement of February 2023. The Club has diligently respected due process for eight years on the basis that the Premier League Board and Executive would behave as an independent, impartial and fair-minded regulator, free from partisan influence."

The Premier League charged Manchester City in February 2023 with numerous breaches of financial rules and for allegedly failing to cooperate with an investigation spanning 14 years. The club has consistently denied any wrongdoing, and their initial statement expressed surprise at the charges. The case, which began with an initial 115 charges, was later extended to 130 due to an administrative issue. The allegations include failing to provide accurate financial information for nine seasons between 2009-10 and 2017-18, not fully disclosing former manager Roberto Mancini's pay from 2009-10 to 2012-13, and not providing complete details of player payments from 2010-11 to 2015-16. The club is also accused of failing to cooperate with the probe between 2018 and 2023.