Manchester City finds an unlikely defender in Rodri, the Spanish midfielder who departed the Etihad earlier this year. As reports circulate that an independent commission has found the Premier League champions guilty on 114 of 115 financial charges, Rodri has publicly voiced his continued trust in the club's assertion of innocence. The former City player's backing comes at a particularly sensitive juncture, with the full ruling still unpublished and an appeal expected to follow, keeping the legal process firmly in motion.
Speaking ahead of Spain's Nations League encounter with England, Rodri articulated his unwavering support for the club where he spent his most recent years. "The club always press their confidence that they never did something wrong and we believe that," he stated, as reported by Fabrizio Romano. He further emphasized: "Until the moment they're proven wrong, we will believe the club. I've been there, I know how they work and cooperate." Rodri's confidence extends to precedent—he referenced Manchester City's successful 2020 appeal against UEFA sanctions as justification for reserving final judgment until all legal channels have been fully explored. Meanwhile, City themselves have remained steadfast in denying any wrongdoing, insisting that "significant elements" of their Premier League dispute remain unresolved. The charges encompass a broad spectrum of allegations, including financial reporting, sponsorship income, player and manager remuneration, profitability rules, and cooperation with league investigations.
Rodri's continued backing of City carries understandable weight given his extended tenure at the club and the considerable success he experienced there. It is equally reasonable to recognize that professional footballers typically lack detailed familiarity with a club's accounting arrangements and financial operations—their interaction with organizations centers on coaching staffs, fellow players, and football personnel rather than sponsorship frameworks or balance sheets. However, the complexities now facing City have transcended mere allegations. Should the reported 114 upheld charges be confirmed in the official written judgment, the club will face a substantially steeper climb in persuading the broader football community of its innocence.
Nonetheless, declaring the matter resolved prematurely would prove equally unwise before the formal ruling, potential sanctions, and anticipated appeals have concluded their course. Rodri's defense of the people he worked alongside remains defensible from a personal standpoint, yet the ultimate judgment on Manchester City's conduct will inevitably rest upon the strength of evidence presented and the legal process that unfolds, rather than the testimonies of former players, regardless of how respected they may be.