Manchester City have reportedly decided that they will not appeal the red card for Rodri against Nottingham Forest.
The Spaniard received his marching orders at the Etihad on Saturday.
After being ‘absolutely brilliant’ in the first-half, Rodri got into a scuffle with Morgan Gibbs-White after losing his cool.
Rodri briefly placed his hands at the base of the Gibbs-White’s neck. There was very little force, but Gibbs-White fell to the ground.
Really, as soon as Rodri grabbed Gibbs-White he was in trouble.
It is something you just cannot do in the game today.
It classed as violent conduct from Rodri, which means a three-game ban.
Some City fans have wondered if the club might appeal the decision – but it doesn’t appear that will be happening…
Manchester City will not appeal Rodri red card
The Daily Mail reported last night that City have decided they will not launch an appeal over the Rodri red card.
Therefore, he will indeed miss the next three games against Newcastle United, Wolves and Arsenal.
The notion of appealing the red card had been put to Pep Guardiola on Saturday night.
But the £63 million Spaniard did suggest that he personally wouldn’t have.
So it will stand as the first red card of Rodri’s professional career.
City right not to appeal
As frustrating as it is to lose Rodri for three games, there can’t really be any basis for an appeal from City.
Yes, Gibbs-White went down very easily and did not cover himself in any glory.
But Rodri placed his hands at the base of the player’s neck.
It is just simply something you just can’t do in the game today.
It was a very daft thing for Rodri to do, and actually really surprising for a player normally so calm.
But emotions in football can run very high sometimes, and Rodri simply lost his head for a moment.
Pep will now be trying to work out how best to cover the absence of one of his most important players.
Perhaps there could now be a chance for Kalvin Phillips to shine.
