By Victor Kanayo
Real Madrid defender Antonio Rüdiger has been hit with a six-match suspension following his red card in the fiery 3–2 Copa del Rey final loss to Barcelona.
During the Copa del Rey final against Barcelona, Rüdiger reportedly threw an object at the referee.
However, teammate Jude Bellingham’s red card has been rescinded after review.
During the game, Lucas Vázquez, who had already been substituted, was shown a straight red card in Seville for angrily reacting to a foul given against Kylian Mbappé shortly before the final whistle.
The report by the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) said the German defender had been given a six-game suspension “for minor violence against the referees”.
The RFEF has also revoked the red card given to Real midfielder Jude Bellingham for dissent after the final whistle.
The referee’s report stated Bellingham “approached our position in an aggressive attitude, having to be restrained by his team-mates”, but the RFEF said Real had provided video evidence which disproved this.
Under Article 101 of the RFEF disciplinary code, which covers “mild violence” towards referees, Rüdiger could have received a suspension of between four and 12 matches.
All six games of Rüdiger’s suspension will be served in league matches, meaning that it will extend until the start of next season, banning him for the final five games in La Liga this campaign and for the opening game of the 2025–26 campaign.
