Real Madrid defender Antonio Rudiger could be facing a lengthy suspension after an explosive incident involving referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea during the Copa del Rey final, where Los Blancos suffered a dramatic 3-2 defeat to Barcelona
The tense final at Estadio de La Cartuja saw Barcelona take an early lead through Pedri on 28 minutes, before Madrid turned the game around with second-half goals from Kylian Mbappe and Aurelien Tchouameni.
However, Ferran Torres equalized late to send the match into extra time, where Jules Kounde sealed victory for Barcelona with a stunning strike from outside the box in the 116th minute.
Despite the final whistle nearing, tempers flared. Rudiger, clearly furious with officiating decisions, attempted to confront De Burgos Bengoetxea.
Teammates Lucas Vazquez and Vinicius Junior also stormed onto the pitch, angrily gesturing towards the referee. During the heated confrontation, Rudiger threw ice at the official from the sidelines.
Both Vazquez and Rudiger received red cards for their actions. While Real Madrid players Ferland Mendy and Jesus Vallejo tried to restrain Rudiger, the German international repeatedly attempted to charge towards the referee. After initially being escorted to the dressing room, Rudiger reappeared from the tunnel, seemingly intent on confronting the match officials again.
However, goalkeeping coach Luis Llopis and goalkeeper Andriy Lunin intervened, convincing him to leave the pitch for good.
Midfielder Jude Bellingham also found himself in trouble after expressing frustration toward the referee.
Television cameras captured Bellingham telling De Burgos Bengoetxea at halftime: “Make him understand, everything is going their [Barcelona’s] way, everything 50-50 goes their way,” as he was led away by Vazquez.
Following the match, the referee’s report to the Spanish Football Federation detailed the disciplinary actions.
According to De Burgos Bengoetxea, Rudiger was sent off in the 120th minute for throwing an object from the technical area, which narrowly missed him.
Vazquez was also dismissed for entering the pitch without permission and protesting a decision, while Bellingham was expelled after the match for approaching the officials aggressively.
“In the 120th minute, player (22) Rüdiger, Antonio, was sent off for throwing an object which missed me.
He had to be restrained by several coaching staff members, displaying an aggressive attitude,” the report stated.
It continued: “In the 120th minute, player (17) Vazquez Iglesias, Lucas, was sent off for protesting one of our decisions and entering the field for several meters, making gestures of disagreement.
In the 999th minute, player (5) Bellingham, Jude Victor William, was sent off for approaching our position with an aggressive attitude, requiring restraint from teammates.”
Post-match reactions further condemned the behavior. Dani Garrido, host of Carrusel Deportivo, said: “I’m deeply saddened by the reactions of Vinicius and Rudiger. Rudiger’s behavior, especially, was deplorable.
Lucas may have insulted, Vinicius came off like a madman, but what Rudiger did is unforgivable, and he’s going to get a historic ban.”
The incident now places Real Madrid under intense scrutiny, with the Spanish Football Federation expected to hand down harsh penalties in the coming days.
