Man City's Rodri will miss the rest of the season after undergoing knee surgery

MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Manchester City midfielder Rodri will miss the rest of the season after undergoing ACL surgery on Friday.

The Spain international also injured his meniscus.

“This season is over (for him). We got the worst (news possible) but it is what it is,” City manager Pep Guardiola said. “We are there to support him in a good recovery, step by step and move forward.”

Rodri injured his right knee on Sunday in the first half of City’s 2-2 draw against Arsenal.

City hoped the injury would not be as bad as first feared, but tests this week confirmed ACL damage, which can take from six months to a year to recover from.

It meant the four-time defending English Premier League champion will be without one of its most influential players for the remainder of this campaign.

“We don't have a similar player, but the other players all together can replace what Rodri has given since he arrived to us," Guardiola said. “We have to do it as a team and we have to find a way to play a lot of months without an important player for us.”

Rodri is among the favorites to win the Ballon d’Or for the best player in the world. His importance to Guardiola’s team was underlined last term when City lost four of nine games without the inspirational midfielder in all competitions. By comparison, City lost just one of 50 games with him in the team.

“He is the best holding midfielder in the world. I would say he is a potential Ballon d’Or winner,” Guardiola said last week.

Rodri warned last week that top players could go on strike because of the number of games they are being asked to play as new competitions are introduced to an already-packed soccer calendar and matches are added to existing tournaments.

The Champions League has been expanded so there are two more games in the new-look group stage. Next year’s Club World Cup will be a 32-team event for the first time, up from seven. It is slated for the offseason for many major leagues in June-July.

The revamps have prompted a legal challenge from players’ unions.

On Tuesday, Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag said the risk of more injuries to top players was “almost unavoidable” because of the increased demands.

James Robson is at https://twitter.com/jamesalanrobson

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Manchester City's Rodri lays on the pitch after collision during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester City and Arsenal at the Etihad stadium in Manchester, England, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)

Manchester City's Rodri is injured next to Arsenal's Thomas Partey during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester City and Arsenal at the Etihad stadium in Manchester, England, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)

Man City's Rodri will miss the rest of the season after undergoing knee surgery

Manchester City's Rodri reacts to an injury, during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester City and Arsenal at the Etihad stadium in Manchester, England, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024. (Martin Rickett/PA via AP)

Man City's Rodri will miss the rest of the season after undergoing knee surgery

NEW YORK (AP) — New York City’s embattled and indicted mayor, Eric Adams, arrived at a federal courthouse Friday morning to be arraigned on charges that he accepted illegal campaign contributions and free overseas trips from people looking to buy his influence in city government.

Adams gave a thumbs up but did not pause to speak to reporters as he headed into the Manhattan court, flanked by his own police security. He was scheduled to appear before Magistrate Judge Katharine Parker.

An indictment unsealed Thursday accused the Democrat of taking a variety of improper gifts from Turkish officials and businesspeople, including free hotel stays and deeply discounted airline tickets to destinations including France, China, Sri Lanka, India, Hungary, Ghana and Turkey.

In return, prosecutors said, Adams did favors for his patrons. That included helping Turkey get fire department approvals to open a new diplomatic tower in Manhattan, despite concerns about its fire safety system, prosecutors said.

Adams says he is innocent. His lawyer has said it was neither unusual nor improper for a government official to accept some travel perks. The mayor has denied ever knowingly accepting an illegal campaign contribution and said any help he gave people navigating city bureaucracy was just part of doing his job.

Adams' lawyer, Alex Spiro, had asked the court to delay the arraignment until at least Monday, mainly for the purpose of reducing the number of times the mayor would have to come to court. A judge did not immediately respond to that request.

Adams, a Democrat, faces conspiracy, wire fraud and bribery charges in a five-count indictment.

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams on Thursday said that several businesspeople and a Turkish diplomat had engaged in “a multiyear scheme to buy favor" from Adams.

In public remarks Thursday, Adams asked New Yorkers to avoid making any judgments until they heard his defense.

His lawyer, Spiro, told reporters the travel perks and seat upgrades Adams accepted were commonly offered to VIPs and members of Congress.

“That’s what airlines do,” he said, noting that many of the charges relate to trips Adams took years ago when he was Brooklyn Borough President.

It was unclear whether this week's indictment was the last word on federal investigations involving the administration.

Federal prosecutors are believed to be leading multiple, separate inquiries involving Adams and his senior aides and relatives of those aides. In early September, federal investigators seized devices from the police commissioner, schools chancellor, two deputy mayors and other trusted Adams confidants.

In the last two weeks alone, the police commissioner resigned and the schools chancellor announced he would retire. Neither has been charged with a crime or been publicly accused of wrongdoing.

New York City mayor Eric Adams arrives at Manhattan federal court, Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

New York City mayor Eric Adams arrives at Manhattan federal court, Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

New York City mayor Eric Adams arrives at Manhattan federal court, Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

New York City Mayor Eric Adams, left, exits Gracie Mansion, the official residence of the mayor, Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

James Dennehy, FBI New York Assistant Director in Charge, left, speaks at a news conference detailing an indictment against New York City Mayor Eric Adams as U.S. Attorney Damian Williams looks on, Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams, attends a news conference detailing an indictment against New York City Mayor Eric Adams, Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams, speaks at a news conference detailing an indictment against New York City Mayor Eric Adams, Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams, speaks at a news conference detailing an indictment against New York City Mayor Eric Adams, Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

New York City Mayor Eric Adams speaks during a news conference outside Gracie Mansion, Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

People exit Gracie Mansion, the official residence of New York City Mayor Eric Adams, Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

A vehicle drives into Gracie Mansion, the official residence of New York City Mayor Eric Adams, Thursday, Sep. 26, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

This image taken from video released by New York City Office of the Mayor, Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024, shows mayor Eric Adams speaking during a videotaped statement. (New York City Office of the Mayor via AP)

Police officers stand outside Gracie Mansion, the official residence of New York City Mayor Eric Adams, Thursday, Sep. 26, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

New York City Mayor Eric Adams speaks during a news conference outside Gracie Mansion, Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

New York City Mayor Eric Adams speaks during a news conference outside Gracie Mansion, Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

New York City Mayor Eric Adams, left, listens as his attorney Alex Spiro, right, talk to the members of the media as they exit Gracie Mansion, the official residence of the mayor, Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

A protestor talks with law enforcement personnel and media while demonstrating against New York City Mayor Eric Adams during a news conference outside Gracie Mansion, Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams, left, speaks at a news conference detailing an indictment against New York City Mayor Eric Adams, Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

New York City Mayor Eric Adams speaks during a news conference outside Gracie Mansion, Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

A person wearing gloves and carrying Manila folders exits Gracie Mansion, the official residence of New York City Mayor Eric Adams, Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams, speaks at a news conference detailing an indictment against New York City Mayor Eric Adams, Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

New York City Mayor Eric Adams speaks during a news conference outside Gracie Mansion, Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)