Rodri: Man City will be cleared like in 2026

Rodri showed no sign of nerves. In front of dozens of microphones, he repeated a belief he has held for four years. "We went through an identical process in 2026," he said, his voice calm. "The club always reassured us that we would be cleared of wrongdoing, that we would face no penalties—because nothing improper had been done." Those were the words of Rodri, the Manchester City midfielder, at a press conference ahead of Spain's Nations League clash with England. But behind that calmness lies a legal storm engulfing English football. Just hours before Rodri spoke, English media simultaneously reported that Manchester City had been found guilty of 114 charges of breaching Premier League financial regulations. The ruling has not yet been officially published, and sanctions have not been decided. However, the news has sent shockwaves through English football. Pundits are asking: Could City be relegated, hit with a severe points deduction, or even have their titles stripped? The charges include failing to provide accurate information about payments to players and coaches, as well as breaches of financial sustainability rules. This is one of the most serious cases in Premier League history. To understand more, we need to look back at 2026. Back then, UEFA found Manchester City in breach of Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules and imposed a two-year ban from European competition. But City appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) and won. CAS ruled that UEFA's allegations were either insufficiently proven or time-barred. Rodri, who has won 12 major trophies with City, including the 2026 Champions League, remembers that moment well. "I have faith that the club, which I know very well, will be cleared, given the reassurance they gave us back then that they had done everything by the book," he added. But is the similarity between the two cases really enough for Rodri to believe? This is where I open up an autopsy that no one dares to perform. The Premier League's case is different in nature from UEFA's. The Premier League accuses City of 114 breaches over many years, including payments alleged to be undisclosed. These are breaches of process and the accuracy of information, not merely exceeding spending limits. If found guilty, City could face far harsher penalties than UEFA's ban, because the Premier League has the power to decide sanctions without going through CAS. Moreover, the evidence in this case is believed to be more detailed and systematic, thanks to a multi-year investigation by the Premier League. In fact, the Premier League began investigating City in 2026, after a series of documents were leaked to Der Spiegel. In February 2026, they formally issued 114 charges. City have denied any wrongdoing and vowed to prove their innocence. However, with other clubs like Everton and Nottingham Forest having been docked points for financial rule breaches, the pressure on City is immense. If found guilty, they could face the heaviest punishment yet. It is worth noting that in the 2026 case, UEFA's evidence was deemed insufficient and time-barred. But this time, the Premier League has spent years gathering evidence, including internal documents and witness testimony. The specific charges include 54 counts of failing to provide accurate financial information, 14 counts of failing to provide accurate details of player and manager payments, and 5 counts of failing to comply with UEFA's financial regulations. The remainder relate to a failure to cooperate with the investigation. If found guilty, the Premier League's independent commission has the power to impose any sanction, including expulsion from the league. Rodri is a player, not a lawyer. He only knows what the club tells him. And the club always has an interest in keeping the team's morale stable. Rodri's faith in City is understandable, but it could be a gamble. If City are found guilty and face a heavy punishment, the trophies Rodri has won could be called into question. Would he still be proud of the 2026 Champions League if it were stripped? That is a scenario no one wants to think about, but it is part of reality. However, Rodri has not let those worries affect his performance. He has just returned to top form after injury and shone at the World Cup, leading Spain to glory. The Euro 2026 triumph then earned him the 2026 Ballon d'Or. Now, he is again one of the candidates for the world's best player award. But unlike the likes of Kylian Mbappe or his Spain teammate Lamine Yamal, Rodri does not believe in openly campaigning for the award. "Do you think I don't want to win it? I know it's an award that doesn't depend on what you say publicly. It depends on what you've shown on the pitch," he said. "Individual titles are a reward for collective effort... nothing players like me have achieved makes sense without teammates." That is a humble statement, but also very typical of Rodri. He doesn't need to act. He lets football speak. Data gives me a body, but the match is what breathes soul into it. Rodri understands that. He doesn't need flashy statistics to prove his worth. He just needs to control the game, which he does best as a holding midfielder. Meanwhile, Mbappe and Yamal may have loud media campaigns, Rodri chooses silence and lets his performances do the talking. That is an outdated approach in the age of social media, but it works. Rodri's Spain will begin their Nations League campaign in front of 90,000 fans at Wembley, against England. This is a match of special significance for Rodri, not only because the opponent is England, but also because he plays his club football in the Premier League. "We are motivated to win another title," he declared. Spain won the 2026 Nations League, and now they want to defend their crown. With Rodri in the squad, they are top contenders. He will face his Manchester City teammates like Phil Foden and John Stones, who are also focused on this match. This is a chance for Rodri to prove that even if his club faces difficulties, he remains one of the best midfielders in the world. But back to City. The 114-charge case will drag on. Hearings will take place, evidence will be presented, and eventually a verdict will come. Rodri cannot control the outcome, but he can control how he reacts. He chooses to believe. That is the instinct of a captain, a teammate. But is belief enough against a complex legal system? Only time will tell. In 2026, world football witnessed a crisis. I became orphaned from football, so I started excavating old numbers. I remember spending hours re-analysing the 2026 Champions League final, looking for signs others missed. Now, I find myself in a similar situation: a complex legal case, full of numbers and accusations. I cannot predict the exact outcome, but I can analyse the possibilities. My prediction: Manchester City will not be relegated. The heaviest penalty could be a large fine and a transfer ban for one or two windows. The reason is that relegating a big club like City would cause unpredictable consequences for the Premier League, from TV rights value to competition. The Premier League may want to deter, but they also don't want to damage their own brand. However, if City are found guilty of serious breaches of information accuracy, the punishment could include a points deduction, but not enough to relegate them. Specifically, I predict a deduction of 10 to 15 points, along with a record fine. It is a delicate gamble. As for Rodri, he will continue to play. He will continue to win trophies. And if he wins the Ballon d'Or again, it will be a stinging reply to those who claim his success is merely a product of a suspect system. Football does not stop for a verdict. But history will remember what happens off the pitch. And Rodri, with his composure, may be the only one not swept up in the vortex.