‘They cannot take out of us’: Rodri breaks silence as former club Man City face losing three Premier League titles

Rodri has become the first prominent former Manchester City player to publicly address the club's 114-charge verdict, and the former midfielder is standing firmly behind his old side. City were found guilty of 114 of the 115 Premier League financial rule breaches brought against them, but Rodri says he continues to believe the club are innocent and will wait for the legal process to run its course.Rodri stands by City's innocenceSpeaking at a press conference ahead of Spain's Nations League match against England, Rodri was asked about the verdict after the independent commission found City guilty of the majority of the charges relating to the period between 2009 and 2018.The former City midfielder, who made 298 appearances for the club between 2019 and 2026, said the club had consistently maintained its innocence and that he had no reason to change his position.“They always express the confidence that they never did something wrong, and we believe in that,” Rodri said.“Until the moment they are proved wrong, we will believe the club. They always tell us the confidence they have on the innocence.”Rodri then pointed to City's previous experience with UEFA's financial regulations as a reason for maintaining that position.City were initially given a two-year ban from European competitions by UEFA in February 2020 after being found to have committed “serious breaches” of UEFA's club licensing and financial fair play regulations. The Court of Arbitration for Sport later overturned the ban after City appealed, although the club were still fined €10 million for failing to cooperate with UEFA's investigation.Rodri said the episode influenced the way he views the current Premier League case.“We had the example of 2020 that the process was the same, and at the end nothing happened,” he explained.“We have faced something similar; we had a similar judicial process – different accusation, but similar process.“There as well, in the first instance, we were found guilty, but we believed in the club and the innocence that the club maintained, and in the end we ended up acquitted.“So, I believe in the justice system, and I believe in the innocence of the club.”City were charged by the Premier League in February 2023, with the allegations covering nine seasons between 2009 and 2018. During that period, the club won three Premier League titles, three League Cups, one Community Shield and one FA Cup.Rodri says City's achievements cannot be taken awayThe possibility of Manchester City being stripped of those Premier League titles has become one of the most contentious questions following the verdict, although no sanctions have yet been decided and City are expected to appeal.Rodri was asked directly about the possibility of the club losing its silverware and made clear that he does not believe the achievements of the players involved can simply be erased.“What we did, they cannot take out of us,” Rodri said.“It’s something that is not paid by money. It’s paid with effort, with the damage, with, you know, being shoulder to shoulder every day.”“I can tell you that everything was deserved, and I’m glad that I could live one of the best eras of English football in here.”Rodri was part of City's Premier League-winning team in 2020/21, 2021/22 and 2022/23, meaning his own honours at the club came largely after the period covered by the charges. He joined City in 2019 and left for Barcelona in 2026 after six seasons in Manchester.Manchester City maintain their positionManchester City responded to the verdict on Friday by reiterating that the Premier League process remains ongoing and that the club's position has not changed since the charges were brought in 2023.“The Premier League process remains ongoing, with significant elements to be completed, and subject to strict confidentiality. As such, Manchester City FC’s position remains consistent with the Club’s statement of February 2023,” the club said.“The Club has diligently respected due process for eight years on the basis that the Premier League Board and Executive would behave as an independent, impartial and fair-minded regulator, free from partisan influence.”City have consistently denied wrongdoing since the Premier League brought the charges against them, maintaining that they possess a “body of irrefutable evidence” supporting their defence.The independent commission has yet to determine the sanctions arising from the 114 findings, while City are expected to appeal the verdict. Until that process is completed, the club's titles remain officially intact and Rodri's position is unchanged: he continues to believe Manchester City are innocent.Stay updated with the latest Asian Games 2026 news, check the Asian Games medal tally and complete Asian Games schedule.Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.