Real Madrid defender Antonio Rudiger is now potentially facing a suspension ranging from four to twelve matches. This comes after he reportedly threw an object in the direction of referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea during Saturday`s Copa del Rey final defeat against Barcelona. The player has since offered an apology for his actions.
Although Rudiger was substituted in the 111th minute, shortly before Jules Kounde`s decisive goal for Barcelona in the 116th minute, he received a red card in the 123rd minute for his conduct while on the bench. The defender was visibly upset with the referee`s decision to call a foul on Kylian Mbappe, which prevented Real Madrid from launching a final attack before the match concluded. Following this, Rudiger threw an object towards the referee and had to be restrained by his teammates amidst his heated reaction.
In his official post-match report, the referee noted that Rudiger was shown a red card “for throwing an object from the technical area which did not reach me.” The report added that after receiving the red card, he “had to be held back by various members of the coaching staff, while he showed an aggressive attitude.”
Rudiger took to social media on Sunday to issue an apology regarding his behavior at the end of the game.
“There`s definitely no excuse for my behaviour last night. I`m very sorry for that,” Rudiger wrote in his post. “We played a very good game from the second 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.”
He was not the only Real Madrid player to be dismissed in the closing stages of the match. Lucas Vazquez, who had also already been substituted, was sent off, according to the referee`s report, “for protesting one of our decisions, entering various metres onto the playing surface, and making gestures of disconformity.” Similarly, Jude Bellingham received a red card because he “came towards us with an aggressive attitude, having to be held back by his teammates.”
While Vazquez and Bellingham are likely to receive standard two-match bans to be served in next season`s Copa del Rey, Rudiger`s disciplinary outcome is expected to be different under the Royal Spanish Football Federation`s rules. Given the nature of his actions, he might be charged under section 101. This section addresses “Mild violence toward the referees,” encompassing actions such as “Grabbing, pushing, or shaking, or generally using other attitudes toward the referees that, while only mildly violent,” and can result in a suspension of four to twelve matches.
Should Rudiger face such a charge under section 101, the resulting ban would apply to all domestic competitions, not just the Copa del Rey. The suspension could potentially begin as early as May 4th, impacting a crucial period for Real Madrid`s season. Los Blancos are currently just four points behind Barcelona in the intense La Liga title race with only five games remaining, a run of fixtures that includes a significant El Clasico match scheduled for May 11th.
