Real Madrid defender Antonio Rudiger has been handed a six-game ban by the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) for his behaviour in the Copa del Rey final loss to Barcelona.
Rudiger, who had been taken off, was dismissed for throwing an ice pack in disgust at referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea for a controversial decision. While on the field, the German defender had to be held back by club staff as he looked to confront the official.
While initial reports claimed Rudiger could be banned for up to 12 games, the RFEF described the incident as “minor violence against the referees”, beyond the minimum punishment of four games, and issued the German with a six-game suspension. Because of the duration of the ban, it will affect more than one competition, and he will therefore miss the last five La Liga matches of the season with Real Madrid and the first league game next season 2025/26.
Rudiger has since had knee surgery on the injury he was treating with ice when it happened and is expected to be sidelined for two months.
Elsewhere, Lucas Vázquez was given a two-game Copa ban for his post-match dissent, and Jude Bellingham’s red card was rescinded after Madrid’s successful challenge to the claims of the referee match report.
