The Real Madrid and Germany defender threw projectiles and was held back by his teammates from attacking the referee
Antonio Rudiger is facing fresh controversy after his recent on-pitch antics sparked a furious reaction in Germany.
German ex-FIFA referee Thorsten Kinhofer has publicly slammed the Real Madrid defender, asking whether he should continue representing the national team.
“Rudiger’s behaviour is a disgrace,” Kinhofer told Bild. “The national team coach should seriously consider whether a man like him can continue to represent our country.”
The comments follow Rudiger’s aggressive conduct in the dying minutes of the Copa del Rey final clash with Barcelona in Seville, where the German international threw an ice pack at referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea, before trying to confront him further, only to be held back by his teammates on the Madrid bench.
Rudiger eventually received a red card alongside two other Madrid players that night, Lucas Vazquez and Jude Bellingham.
Kinhofer is not the only one in Germany who has criticised the player’s behaviour. A poll which gathered up to 18,000 votes showed that 78% thought that the 32-year-old should not play for Germany again, according to Bild. Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann has not commented on the matter.
Rudiger, who has been an integral figure in the backline of both club and country over the past several years, is known both for his imperious defensive displays and his combative style of play.
