Rodri, who recently ended his spell at Manchester City, said nobody could take away the success the club's players achieved, even after reports that City had been found guilty of breaching Premier League financial rules.
According to The Guardian, the football world was 'rocked' on Friday afternoon when multiple outlets reported City had been found guilty on all but one of the 115 charges the Premier League laid against the club in February 2023.
Rodri said he believes in the justice system and in his former club's innocence, according to The Guardian and BBC News, with BBC News reporting he will trust the club unless proven otherwise.
The Mirror reported that a press conference involving Rodri was stopped after he made a comment about 'justice,' according to the outlet (single-source claim). The Sun described Rodri as the first player to speak out about the 115 charges (single-source claim).
Independent Journal Review reported Rodri said City's achievements could not be taken away because they were earned through effort rather than money (single-source claim).
How each side covered it
Left
- The Guardian reported Rodri said City's success was 'deserved' despite the reported guilty verdict.
- The Guardian noted the football world was 'rocked' by reports of the verdict on the 115 charges.
- The Mirror reported a press conference was stopped after Rodri made a comment about 'justice.'
“Rodri insists Manchester City ‘deserved’ success despite FFP guilty verdict” — The Guardian
Center
- BBC News reported Rodri believes Manchester City are innocent of financial wrongdoing.
- BBC News noted Rodri will trust the club unless proven otherwise.
“Rodri believes in Man City's 'innocence'” — BBC News
Right
- The Sun reported Rodri was the first player to speak out about the 115 charges.
- Independent Journal Review reported Rodri said City's achievements were earned by effort, not money.
“Rodri breaks silence on Man City's guilty verdict as he becomes first player to speak out about 115 charges” — The Sun
Questions readers ask
What did Rodri say about Manchester City's guilty verdict?
Rodri said he believes in the justice system and in Manchester City's innocence, and that nobody can take away the success the club's players achieved, according to The Guardian and BBC News.
What were the 115 charges against Manchester City?
According to The Guardian, the charges were financial rules charges laid against Manchester City by the Premier League in February 2023, and reports indicated the club was found guilty on all but one of them.
Why does this matter?
The reported verdict concerns whether Manchester City, one of the Premier League's most successful clubs, breached financial rules, which could affect perceptions of the club's achievements.
What did left- and right-leaning outlets focus on?
Left-leaning outlets, such as The Guardian and The Mirror, focused on Rodri's insistence on the club's innocence and a press conference being stopped over a 'justice' comment. Right-leaning outlets, such as The Sun and Independent Journal Review, emphasized Rodri being the first player to speak out and his claim that success was earned through effort, not money.
What happens next?
The sources do not specify what happens next regarding the verdict or any appeal process.
Sources · 7 outlet reports
- The GuardianLeft-leaningRodri insists Manchester City ‘deserved’ success despite FFP guilty verdict
- The IndependentLeft-leaningRodri responds to Man City charges: ‘Everything was deserved’
- The MirrorLeft-leaningRodri speaks out on Man City guilty verdict as press conference stopped after 'justice' claim
- BBC NewsCenterRodri: Former Man City midfielder believes club are innocent of any financial wrongdoing
- France 24CenterRodri confident in Man City innocence despite reported charges
- Independent Journal ReviewRight-leaningRodri Says Man City Achievements “Cannot Be Taken” as They Were Earned by Effort, Not Money
- The SunRight-leaningRodri breaks silence on Man City's guilty verdict as he becomes first player to speak out about 115 charges