Out of Control: Rudiger’s Furious Reaction Sparks Controversy and Potential Ban

Real Madrid’s Antonio Rudiger is facing a potentially lengthy ban after throwing an object at referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea during the club’s Copa del Rey final defeat to Barcelona on Saturday.

According to the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) disciplinary code, Rudiger could receive a suspension of between four and 12 matches if sanctioned under article 101, which covers “mild violence” towards referees. However, if his actions are deemed more serious, article 104, which covers “assault against referees”, states players may be banned for three to six months.

The incident occurred in the final moments of the match, when Real forward Kylian Mbappe was penalized for a foul on Barcelona defender Eric Garcia. Rudiger, who was substituted out of the game, appeared to throw an ice cube at the referee, which missed him by a short distance.

Rudiger was subsequently sent off, along with Real team-mate Lucas Vazquez, who entered the field of play to protest against the decision. Real’s England midfielder Jude Bellingham was also later sent off for dissent.

The referee report states that Bellingham was sent off for approaching the officials in an “aggressive attitude” and “having to be restrained by his team-mates”. This is the second time Bellingham has been sent off for Real this season for dissent.

The incident is the latest in a series of controversies surrounding Real Madrid and their treatment of referees. In February, the club wrote a formal letter of complaint to RFEF and Spain’s High Council for Sports, accusing Spanish refereeing of being “rigged” and “completely discredited”.

The RFEF has condemned the abuse suffered by referees, including Jose Luis Munuera Montero, who was sent off by Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham in a previous match.

Rudiger and Mbappe were also given suspended one-match bans and fined for indecent conduct during their Champions League last-16 win against Atletico Madrid earlier this month.

The outcome of the disciplinary hearing is yet to be determined, but it is clear that Rudiger’s actions have put him in big trouble. As Premier Sports commentator Terry Gibson said, “You can see something is thrown – [Rudiger] is in big trouble, it doesn’t miss the referee by a million miles, it’s at the referee.”