Manchester City captain Bernardo Silva may find himself facing the same charges that were brought against teammate Rodri by the Football Association due to his comments regarding match officials.
The 2-2 draw at the Etihad Stadium marked a frustrating night for Manchester City, whose aspirations for a Premier League title took a hit as rivals Arsenal widened their lead at the top of the table.
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Pep Guardiola’s team took the lead twice against Vitor Pereira’s Nottingham Forest but were unable to hold on, with Morgan Gibbs-White and Elliot Anderson equalizing each time in a match filled with controversial moments in the visitors’ penalty area.
City felt wronged by several decisions, particularly regarding challenges involving Erling Haaland, as referee Darren England and the VAR officials dismissed their appeals for penalties.
The feeling of injustice was palpable at full-time, prompting club captain Bernardo Silva to share an honest view during his post-match media obligations.
In an interview with TNT Sports following the draw, Silva was asked about key incidents in the Nottingham Forest penalty area that led to City’s strong appeals for penalties.
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“We’ve become accustomed to this this season because all the 50/50s have gone against us. That’s the reality,” the Portuguese midfielder stated.
He added, “I just watched the incident with Erling [Haaland] and the Nottingham Forest goalkeeper, Matz Sels, and to me it’s a penalty. Some may disagree, but what can Erling do?”
“As I’ve said, we’re used to this dynamic. We understand how things work. Our job is simply to improve, as these matters are beyond our control. What we can influence are our own performances, and that’s where we must concentrate.”
These comments could draw the attention of the Football Association, especially in light of Rodri’s ongoing case. The Spanish midfielder was recently charged under FA Rule 3.1 for suggesting in a televised interview that officiating standards and impartiality affected City during their 2-2 draw with Tottenham Hotspur.
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The FA maintains a strict policy regarding comments that may question the integrity or neutrality of match officials, and Bernardo Silva’s claim that “all 50/50s” have favored opponents could be interpreted as insinuating a systemic bias against Manchester City.
If a charge is brought, Pep Guardiola could face further disruptions during a crucial period of domestic fixtures. For the moment, however, the team is focused on its on-field response.
With tensions escalating in a tightly contested Premier League title race, the statements from Manchester City off the pitch could be just as significant as their performances on it.