Antonio Rüdiger (foto: Getty Images)
Antonio Rüdiger could face a serious suspension after throwing ice at the referee and shouting insults in the final moments of Real Madrid’s Copa del Rey defeat to Barcelona.
Antonio Rüdiger could be facing a heavy fine and suspension after an explosive incident during the final minutes of Real Madrid’s Copa del Rey defeat to Barcelona.
The German defender lost his temper after receiving a red card from referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea. In a moment of fury, Rüdiger threw a piece of ice toward the official, an act fully captured by the refereeing team's cameras.
De Burgos immediately showed red cards to both Rüdiger and Lucas Vázquez without hesitation, which only escalated the situation further. Rüdiger’s protests grew louder, and members of Real Madrid’s coaching staff had to intervene to hold him back.
Barcelona eventually sealed a dramatic 3-2 victory in extra time, lifting the trophy while Real Madrid finished the night in chaos and controversy.
What did Rüdiger say?
Footage quickly spread across social media, and lip readers claimed that Rüdiger unleashed several serious insults in German towards the referee, including calling him a "freak" and a "son of a b*tch."
The referee’s official match report stated that Rüdiger was sent off for "throwing objects from the technical area" and for "aggressive behavior after receiving the red card."
De Burgos had already been under immense pressure before the final. At a press conference, he shared an emotional moment, revealing that his child came home from school in tears after classmates accused his father of being a thief. "I want to teach my son that his father is honest, that he can make mistakes but he doesn’t lie," De Burgos said. "What we referees go through damages not only professional football but also amateur football."
Punishment pending:
Real Madrid immediately reacted to the incident by formally requesting a change of referee before the final. Now, the Spanish Football Federation is expected to make a decision regarding Rüdiger’s punishment — and given the severity of the offense, a lengthy suspension and heavy fine appear likely.