Antonio Rüdiger: Real Madrid Defender Handed Six-Match Ban for Throwing Object at Referee During Copa del Rey Final Defeat to Barcelona
Jules Koundé scored in extra time to secure a thrilling 3-2 victory for Barcelona over Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey final. The match, held at La Cartuja Stadium in Seville, saw chaos erupt as Real Madrid's Antonio Rüdiger, Jude Bellingham, and Lucas Vázquez were all sent off amid flaring tempers.
Real Madrid defender Antonio Rüdiger has been handed a six-match suspension after throwing an object at the referee during their Copa del Rey final defeat to Barcelona.
Rüdiger and his teammate Lucas Vázquez were both shown red cards after reacting angrily to a foul awarded to Kylian Mbappé just moments before the final whistle.
Germany defender Antonio Rüdiger has been handed a six-match suspension for "minor acts of violence against the referees," while teammate Vazquez received a two-game ban for protesting the officials' decisions.
In his official report, referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea stated that Rüdiger was sent off for "throwing an object from the technical area, which did not strike me."
Rüdiger also underwent successful surgery on Tuesday to repair a meniscus tear in his left knee. He will soon begin his recovery process, though the club has not specified a timeline for his return. His rehabilitation is expected to take several weeks.
"The 32-year-old acknowledged that surgery had become 'unavoidable' after enduring intense pain while continuing to play.
Meanwhile, the RFEF has rescinded the red card issued to midfielder Jude Bellingham for dissent following the final whistle."
The referee's report claimed that Jude Bellingham "approached our position in an aggressive manner and had to be restrained by his teammates." However, the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) stated that Real Madrid submitted video evidence that contradicted this account.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti received a formal warning for "making or expressing observations, gestures, or objections" toward the match officials.
Barcelona secured a dramatic 3-2 victory over Real Madrid in extra time at Seville's La Cartuja stadium, with Jules Koundé netting the decisive goal late on.
Tensions flared as Real Madrid players Antonio Rüdiger and Lucas Vázquez, who had both been substituted earlier, were shown red cards for dissent while on the bench. Jude Bellingham was also sent off for unsportsmanlike conduct.
Antonio Rüdiger had to be restrained by Real Madrid players and staff as he held a small ice pack and continued shouting at referee Ricardo de Burgos.
The defender has since apologized for his actions on social media.
“There’s no excuse for my behaviour last night. I’m truly sorry,” Rüdiger wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
“We played a great game from the second half onwards. After 111 minutes, I was no longer able to help my team, and just before the final whistle, I made a mistake.
"Apologies again to the referee and to everyone I let down last night."
De Burgos broke down in tears during a Friday press conference when asked about Real Madrid TV’s repeated criticism of referees in their video content.
In response, Real Madrid initially cancelled all media duties and the official training session ahead of the final. However, they later confirmed that the match would proceed as scheduled.
Pedri put Barca ahead in the 28th minute with a brilliant curling strike into the top corner from outside the box, but Real took control in the second half as Kylian Mbappe came off the bench to score the equaliser from a free kick in the 70th minute.
Aurelien Tchouameni gave Real Madrid the lead seven minutes later with a towering header from a corner before Ferran Torres found the equaliser in a counter-attack in the 84th minute that took the game to extra time.......Read more