The defender threw projectiles at the referee in a heated final at Seville
Real Madrid defender Antonio Rudiger is facing the prospect of a significant suspension, after his furious reaction during the closing stages of the Copa del Rey final defeat to Barcelona.
Rudiger was one of three Real Madrid players shown red cards at stoppage time of Saturday night’s heated encounter, which saw Barcelona clinch a dramatic 3-2 win in extra time.
The German international was already substituted earlier in the match due to “exhaustion” according to manager Carlo Ancelotti. But from the bench he appeared to throw an object – later identified as a bag of ice – towards the referee in a moment of rage.
Rudiger could now face a significant ban when Spanish football authorities decide on the matter, according to Cadena SER. Such a suspension would likely rule him out for the remainder of the season, if not into the start of the next campaign.
In an official report, the matchday referee Ricardo De Burgos Bengoetxea – who had spoken before the game against Real Madrid’s attitude towards officials – described the incident in stark terms:
“In the 120th minute, player (22) Rudiger, Antonio, was sent off for the following reason: For throwing an object from the technical area, which missed me. After being shown the red card, he had to be restrained by several members of the coaching staff, displaying an aggressive attitude.”
Television footage indeed captured Rudiger being held back by teammates and coaching staff as he attempted to throw additional bags of ice at the referee in frustration.
But the Germany international was far from the only Real Madrid player to lose composure on the night. Lucas Vazquez and Jude Bellingham were also dismissed after full-time. Vazquez was punished for entering the pitch to protest a decision, while Bellingham’s confronted the officials after the game.
The referee detailed their behaviour as well:
“In the 120th minute, player (17) Vazquez Iglesias, Lucas, was sent off for the following reason: For protesting one of our decisions, entering the field of play for several meters, making gestures of disagreement.
“In the 120th minute, player (5) Bellingham, Jude Victor William, was sent off for the following reason: After the end of the match, he approached our position in an aggressive attitude, having to be restrained by his teammates.”
Saturday’s final had been intense but was also box office from start to finish. Real Madrid had clawed their way back from an early deficit through goals from Kylian Mbappe and Aurelien Tchouameni and in fact looked like they would go ahead and win the game, only for Barcelona to strike late through Ferran Torres and then Jules Kounde in extra time to claim the trophy.
