Real Madrid defender Antonio Rudiger has been handed a six-game suspension by the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) following his conduct during the Copa del Rey final defeat to Barcelona, MySportDab Reports.
Rudiger, who had already been substituted, was shown a red card after throwing an ice pack toward referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea in protest of a controversial decision.
The German international had to be restrained by club staff as he attempted to confront the official on the pitch, leading to widespread criticism — including condemnation from the German Football Association.
Though Rudiger was initially at risk of receiving up to a 12-match ban, the RFEF ultimately deemed his actions to fall under “minor violence against the referees,” resulting in a six-match suspension.
Because suspensions longer than four games extend beyond the competition in which they occurred, Rudiger will miss Real Madrid’s final five La Liga fixtures this season and the first league game of the 2025/26 campaign.
Coinciding with the disciplinary ruling, Real Madrid announced that Rudiger had undergone knee surgery on the same leg he was treating with the ice pack during the match.
He is expected to be sidelined for approximately two months, ruling him out for the remainder of the current season regardless of the ban.
Meanwhile, right-back Lucas Vázquez received a two-match suspension for dissent, which will be served during next season’s Copa del Rey.
However, Madrid successfully appealed the red card shown to Jude Bellingham for similar protests. Referee De Burgos Bengoetxea had alleged that Bellingham was “aggressive” and needed to be held back, but video evidence reportedly helped clear the England international of wrongdoing.
The RFEF’s rulings bring closure to a fiery final marred by heated altercations and controversial officiating decisions.
