Germany’s Antonio Rüdiger hit with suspension after El Clásico outburst

The Real Madrid defender took out his anger at the referee.

Germany men’s national team center-back Antonio Rüdiger was at the center of an ugly incident in the closing minutes of the latest El Clásico in Spain: the Copa del Rey Final on Saturday between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid.

Rüdiger has now been hit with a six-match suspension, according to kicker, but a knee injury he suffered in the same game will lessen the impact of the decision:

The season is coming to an end for Antonio Rüdiger, just as frustrating as it already feels for Real Madrid fans. Following his outburst in injury time in the Copa del Rey final loss to FC Barcelona (2-3 after extra time), the Royal’s defensive leader was suspended for six matches. He will therefore not be eligible to play again until Matchday 2 of the next season, although he will be out for several weeks anyway due to knee surgery.

Barça won 3-2 over Rüdiger’s Madrid side, confirming the Catalans’ string of victories under head coach Hansi Flick (formerly of Bayern Munich) over their rivals this season. Rüdiger was one of three Madrid players to be shown the red card in stoppage time — along with Lucas Vázquez and later Jude Bellingham.

In Rüdiger’s case, he threw what was apparently ice at the referee from the sidelines.

Rüdiger issued his own apology afterwards:

“There’s definitely no excuse for my behaviour last night. I’m very sorry for that. 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.”

The act drew condemnation from the commentators as well as from the DFB.

“Toni is a top-class player—but as an international player, he also has to show class in his behavior,” German national team director Rudi Völler added in comments captured by SID Sportnews, via @iMiaSanMia. “He rightly demands respect for himself, and he must also show that respect to others without exception. Toni is an outstanding footballer and a very emotional guy, a fighter on the pitch. He should stay that way.

“But in this case, he and some of his teammates allowed themselves to be too ‘infected’ by the extremely heated atmosphere that had inexplicably prevailed around the club before the game. That’s unacceptable — especially not for a German international. Toni has to change in that regard, and he knows it himself. Toni contacted Julian [Nagelsmann] and me yesterday, and we talked at length about the situation. With him directly, but also internally with Bernd Neuendorf [DFB President] and Andreas Rettig [DFB Sporting director].”

Rüdiger is expected to miss several weeks with his injury.

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