Rudiger handed a suspended European ban and a fine; player says he was “just joking around”
Antonio Rudiger has defended himself from critics after receiving a €40,000 fine from UEFA for mocking Atletico Madrid fans during their Champions League fixture in March.
The Real Madrid defender celebrated provocatively in front of Atletico supporters after Los Blancos knocked their city rivals out of the competition in the round of 16. He was joined by several teammates, including Kylian Mbappe
The group’s actions were deemed inappropriate by UEFA, resulting in a one-match European ban for Rudiger, suspended for one year.
Speaking to Amazon Prime, the German international said: “We played against Atletico and were booed. Insults and everything. We only went there because our fans were higher up. So I was just joking around. That’s part of it.”
The punishment isn’t Rudiger’s only run-in with disciplinary action for his behaviour in the 2024-25 season. He has also been handed a six-match ban in Spain after throwing a projectile and advancing threateningly towards a referee during the Copa del Rey final against Real Madrid.
