Real Madrid defender Antonio Rudiger has been slapped with a six-game ban by the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) following his conduct which led to him receiving a red card during Los Blancos’ Copa del Rey defeat to Barcelona last week.
What happened?
Rudiger, who had already been substituted due to an injury worry, received a red card after storming off the bench and hurling an ice pack toward referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea following a contentious call. The former Chelsea defender had to be physically restrained by teammates and members of the coaching staff as he made a determined attempt to enter the pitch to confront the referee. Officials from the German Football Association have since slammed the actions of the Germany international, emphasizing that it was ‘unacceptable’.
Repercussions
The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) has revealed that Rudiger will serve a six-game ban for what it termed “minor violence against the referees.” Real Madrid will be somewhat relieved by the relative leniency of this verdict following fears that the tenacious defender might’ve been slammed with a more lengthy ban.
Rudiger’s suspension means he will miss the remainder of Real Madrid’s La Liga campaign, with five matches still to be played. He will also miss Los Blancos’ first league game of the 25/26 campaign. While standard suspensions usually apply only to the competition where the offence occurred, in this case the Copa del Rey, bans exceeding four matches extend across multiple competitions—making the German’s punishment applicable to La Liga fixtures.
Ban, injuries and Madrid’s defensive crisis
Rudiger’s ban coincides with a knee injury that is set to keep the German defender out for up to two months. The experienced 32-year-old joins his teammates Ferland Mendy, who has been ruled out for up to 12 weeks and David Alaba, who has recently been diagnosed with a knee injury on the sidelines as manager Carlo Ancelotti is left with only four senior defensive options at his disposal for the remainder of the season.
Olaoluwa is a dedicated sports writer and passionate football enthusiast with two years of experience. Known for his keen analysis and commitment to the game, his work reflects a deep love for football, blending strategic insight with the emotional moments that make it a global passion. He is focused on honing his skills and consistently aims to inspire and engage readers through every article he writes.
