Real Madrid’s Antonio Rüdiger has been handed a six-game ban following his red card in the team’s 3-2 Copa del Rey final defeat to Barcelona. Rüdiger was sent off in the 120th minute for throwing an object from the technical area and showing an aggressive attitude, according to referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea.
“I have no excuse for my behavior,” Rüdiger said in a statement. “I’m sorry for that… 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 everyone I have disappointed.”
The Spanish football federation’s disciplinary committee ruled Rüdiger would serve a six-game ban, while teammate Lucas Vázquez was handed a two-game suspension for entering the field of play to protest a decision.
In contrast, Jude Bellingham’s sending off has been rescinded after the committee found video evidence showed “a different reality than that reflected in the referee’s report.” The committee found no evidence of “an aggressive attitude” or teammates holding him back, resulting in a “material, manifest error” in the report.
Rüdiger’s ban could impact Real Madrid’s La Liga season and his potential participation in the summer’s Club World Cup, as he is expected to be absent for up to two months following knee surgery. La Liga’s stance on misconduct towards officials emphasizes that such behavior will not be tolerated.