Manchester City were denied a penalty after contact between Elliot Anderson and Rodri and ex-referee Dermot Gallagher has made an outrageous claim regarding the incident.
There was plenty of controversy during Manchester City’s 2-2 draw with Nottingham Forest, especially when Erling Haaland was denied a penalty after a possible foul inside the box.
Disagreements have arisen on whether the striker deliberately initiated contact by moving towards Matz Sels, or if he was unfairly taken out off the ball.
However, that was just one of a number of incidents to occur during an action packed night of Premier League football.
In that same game, there was another penalty shout for Man City after contact between Rodri and Elliot Anderson after the Spaniard took a shot on goal.
Dermot Gallagher claims Rodri fouled Elliot Anderson
The Sky Sports Ref Watch studio has experienced some clashes after Wednesday night, including on whether Rodri should have been given a penalty.
Jay Boothroyd was certain Anderson committed a foul, but Dermot Gallagher disagreed. In fact, the retired referee even claimed that Rodri had committed an offence with his follow through.
🗣️ "That's why I'm a referee and you're not"
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) March 5, 2026
🗣️ "I actually think it's a foul by Rodri"
Jay Bothroyd and Dermot Gallagher clash when discussing Rodri's claim for a penalty after a tackle from Elliot Anderson in the closing stages. pic.twitter.com/QzBsm9MGS3
“I look at that and I say to myself, if that happens in the middle of the pitch, that is a foul. So I don’t understand why that same threshold isn’t applied in the penalty area,” Boothroyd said.
“I think I’ve been pretty consistent with it, because it happened with Foden, I said it was a penalty. Happened with [Alexander] Isak, I said it was a penalty. This is a similar thing. If he really hits him with his studs there, you’d be saying it’s a red card as well.”
Gallagher took issue with this statement and responded: Two things, he didn’t hit him with his studs. And I actually think it’s a foul by the City player, because I think he catches him.”
“How can it be a foul by the City player with Rodri having a shot?” Boothroyd exclaimed, causing Gallagher to reply “Well, he boots him, doesn’t he?”
“Yeah, but Rodri’s having a shot, said Boothroyd. It’s his follow through, what is he meant to do his foot like take it andbring his foot back?”
Gallagher then asked: “Who fouls who?”
Boothroyd answered: “Elliot Anderson fouls Rodri,” to which Gallagher responded “That’s why I’m a referee and you’re not.”
The debate continued to rage on and it eventually concluded with Boothroud explaining: “I don’t know how that’s not a foul. Like he’s again, I’m going to repeat myself. Sorry, sorry, I have to.
“If Rodri is kicking through, you can’t expect him to shoot the ball and bring his leg back without feeling contact, and that is emotion, and you can’t expect Anderson to do the same, but he’s blocking the ball.
“He’s not shooting, he’s not even trying to kick the ball, blocking the ball. Yeah, he’s trying to block the ball, and he hasn’t, and he’s gone through, he’s hit him.”
Gallagher’s accusation against Rodri is nonsensical
There are good arguments on both sides as to whether Anderson fouled Rodri and it has certainly caused a divide.
However, to suggest Rodri was the one who committed the foul is nothing short of ridiculous, perhaps even embarrassing.
The Man City midfielder took a shot and made contact with the ball. He then made contact with Anderson, only because the Nottingham Forest player raised his leg.
In the end, it was harsh for Rodri not to receive a penalty kick and to suggest he was the one who actually committed a foul is utter nonsense.
