The former City midfielder was asked about reports that the Premier League champions had been found guilty of breaching financial rules in relation to the 115 charges brought against them in February 2023.

City have consistently denied the allegations, while the club said on Friday that "significant elements" of its legal case with the Premier League were still to be completed.

Rodri, who left City for Barcelona in the recent transfer window, said he continued to believe in the club after experiencing a similar situation during his time at the Etihad Stadium.

"We have faced something similar back in 2020, we had a similar judicial process," Rodri said.

"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."

Rodri was referring to City's successful appeal against a two-year ban from European competition imposed by UEFA. The Court of Arbitration for Sport overturned the ban and reduced the club's fine from 30 million euros to 10 million euros.

The latest case could have serious consequences if City are found to have breached Premier League rules, with the club's achievements potentially coming under renewed scrutiny.

However, Rodri insisted the success he and his team-mates achieved during his time at City could not simply be erased.

"For us, the players, it is a different thing than for you guys," he said.

"But we always tried to think in a positive way, when you live that club daily and the people who have worked hard all these years to have all the success we had.

"Not only Pep and the players but all the structure, from the owners to the guys who worked daily.

"What we did, they cannot take it out of us.

"It is something that is not paid by money, it is paid with effort, with partnership and with being shoulder to shoulder every day.

"We had a lot of success over the years and here in Wembley, so I can tell you everything was deserved and I'm glad I could live one of the best eras of English football."

Rodri also said City players had remained calm throughout the legal process because of the confidence shown by the club's hierarchy.

"They always tell us the confidence they have on their innocence," he said.

"We have the example of 2020 that the process was the same, and at the end nothing happened.

"We were very calm in this way. You never saw the team nervous about these kind of things.

"Everyone has to follow the rules, and for me that's great. But they always expressed the confidence that they never did something wrong, and we believe in that.

"Until the moment they are proved wrong, we believe in the club. I've been there, I know how they work, and how they co-operate."

Erick Mathoho leaves Kaizer Chiefs after eleven seasons