Rodri defends Manchester City despite 114 sins
Rodri, the Spanish world champion and former midfield engine of Manchester City, emphasizes before the Nations League clash between Spain and England at Wembley that he believes in the innocence of his long‑standing club, even though British media report that the independent commission has found the club guilty of 114 out of 115 financial allegations.
Rodri defends Manchester City
The 30‑year‑old Spaniard was a core member of Pep Guardiola's Manchester City from 2019 until last summer, where he was able to win numerous titles. In his speech he said: “What we have achieved cannot be taken away from us. That is something that cannot be bought with money, but with effort, with team spirit and with the fact that we stand side by side every day.” He added that he “had the privilege of witnessing one of the best eras of English football” and that everything “was deserved.”
Rodri also emphasized that even a possible stripping of several league titles would not shake the club’s self‑understanding. He referred to the many successes that he and his teammates had achieved at Wembley and beyond, and explained that what Manchester City has achieved “cannot be bought with money.”
Financial allegations and possible sanctions
The allegations against Manchester City include false statements about finances and sponsorship income as well as incomplete information about coach and player salaries. The commission has found the English cup‑final team guilty in 114 out of 115 cases, but a concrete penalty has not yet been announced.
The club, which won the Champions League in 2023, can still appeal the outcome of the investigation. The proceedings, which began in 2023, relate to possible breaches from 2009 to 2018, during which Manchester City won three Premier League titles.
Manchester City under a historic Premier League sanction
Rodri’s personal view and previous proceedings
Rodri recalled a similar case from 2020, in which Manchester City was initially found guilty, but later acquitted. He said: “Even there we were found guilty at first instance, but we believed in the club and in the innocence that the club has always asserted, and in the end we were acquitted.”
He emphasizes his confidence in the legal system and states that he believes in the club’s innocence as long as no final conviction exists.
In another interview, which took place before the Spain vs England match, Rodri quoted the report by Fabrizio Romano: “The club always press their confidence that they never did something wrong and we believe that. Until the moment they’re proven wrong, we will believe the club. I’ve been there, I know how they work and cooperate.” The Guardian also referred to the club’s successful appeal in 2020 against UEFA sanctions as the reason for Rodri’s cautious stance.
Premier League clubs could use Section W to sue Manchester City
Rodri, who left the Etihad Stadium earlier this year, points out that the city of Manchester and the Premier League commission still see “significant elements” of the dispute as unresolved. However, he remains convinced that the experiences from his time at Manchester City show that the club acted correctly.
The contrast between Rodri’s personal loyalty and the still‑open legal questions highlights that the final verdict on Manchester City will only come after a written decision, possible sanctions and a potential appeal.