Rodri has avoided a ban over his extraordinary outburst that followed Manchester City’s clash with Tottenham.
The Spanish midfielder made headlines last month with his comments about officials that followed the dramatic 2-2 draw away at Spurs in the Premier League, but has escaped with a fine and a warning.
Rodri said referees “have to be neutral” and that it “wasn’t fair” after Tottenham’s first goal against City was awarded despite Dominic Solanke appearing to kick through the back of Marc Guehi’s leg to score, with the incident checked and cleared by VAR.
Solanke’s superb second goal then earned struggling Spurs a surprise share of the spoils as early efforts from Rayan Cherki and Antoine Semenyo were cancelled out at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
"I know we won too much and the people don't want us to win but the referee has to be neutral and for me honestly, it's not fair,” the 2024 Ballon d’Or winner told Australian broadcaster Stan Sport.
“It's not fair because we work so hard in these situations and now to make these decisions, we have to move on.
“Of course you need to come back but at the end, when everything is finished, we are frustrated because it’s so clear, the foul.”
Rodri was charged by the Football Association (FA) with misconduct, alleging that he “acted in an improper manner during a post-match media interview by making comments that imply bias and/or question the integrity of a match official and/or match officials, contrary to FA Rule 3.1.”
He admitted the charge and has now been fined £80,000 and warned as to his future conduct following an independent regulatory commission hearing.
Rodri will therefore be available for the entirety of City’s run-in as they have nine games remaining in which to chase down Premier League leaders Arsenal’s seven-point lead in the title race, with Pep Guardiola’s side playing host to the Gunners at the Etihad Stadium next month as well as in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley on March 22.