European QBV criticized, required to cooperate with police

The incident is attracting public attention in Britain as residents argue this behavior may encroach on privacy.

Star midfielder of Manchester City, Rodri, is facing off-field troubles as numerous neighbors in a luxury apartment complex in Salford, Greater Manchester, have reported him to police for his habit of flying drones near their apartment windows.

According to British media reports, some residents living in the high-rise building near Rodri's penthouse have expressed extreme discomfort after repeatedly seeing drones flying close to their apartment windows. This has caused them to feel uneasy, especially during private moments at home.

One resident shared that he and his wife live on a high floor of the building, which is considered to have absolute private space. However, they were surprised to see a drone appear right outside their window while watching television.

This person stated the drone was only about one meter from the glass, making his wife feel anxious and uncomfortable. “One of the benefits of living on a high floor is that no one can look into your apartment. But now we are disturbed by Rodri's drone”, this resident said.

Not just one household reported the issue. Many other residents in the Salford building have also submitted complaints to the management and reception staff, requesting action with the apartment complex management where Rodri resides. Some have directly contacted police, concerned that drone use may violate flight regulations as well as laws related to privacy.

Another resident living with his girlfriend on the 34th floor said they once noticed the flashing blue light of a drone right outside their apartment window at night. According to this person, the drone later flew back to Rodri's penthouse balcony. “He has a lot of money, but spends time flying drones at other people's windows”, this resident expressed frustration.

The case has also become a hot topic in the building's WhatsApp group. Some believe this action may breach harassment regulations, privacy infringement, and unmanned aerial vehicle operation laws.

Under UK Civil Aviation Authority rules, drone operators must ensure they do not cause nuisance to others and must respect the privacy of surrounding residents. Additionally, most drones require users to register and pass a theoretical test before operation.

Greater Manchester police representatives confirmed receiving complaints from residents and that officers are currently verifying the incident. They also plan to work directly with Rodri to ensure the player understands the relevant legal regulations.

Rodri is currently one of the world's finest midfielders. The Spanish star joined Manchester City from Atletico Madrid in 2019 for a transfer fee of £63 million. He also once won the world's best player award by receiving the 2024 Ballon d'Or.