Rudiger gets six-match ban for Copa del Rey’s outrage

Real Madrid defender, Antonio Rudiger, has been handed a six-match ban for his violent act during their Copa del Rey final loss to Barcelona.

Rudiger was shown a red card, alongside Lucas Vazquez for their reaction to a foul given against Kylian Mbappe shortly before the final whistle.

The Germany defender then went on to throw an object at referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea. He was also held back by Madrid players and staff while he held a small bag of ice and continued to shout at De Burgos.

He has therefore been given a six-game suspension “for minor violence against the referees”.

However, the former Chelsea and Roma defender has since issued an apology for his behaviour on social media.

“There’s definitely no excuse for my behaviour. I’m very sorry for that,” he posted on X, formerly Twitter.

“We played a very good game from the 2nd half on. After 111 minutes I was not able to help my team anymore and before the final whistle I did a mistake.

“Sorry again to the referee and to everyone I have disappointed last night.”

Meanwhile, Rudiger’s ban comes on the same day that the German underwent knee surgery to fix an ongoing injury.

Although, the club did not give a timeline for his return but the recovery is expected to take several weeks, leaving him out of the season.

The RFEF also handed Vazquez a two-match ban for his protests against the officials, while Jude Bellingham’s red card for dissent after the final whistle was revoked.