Introduction to the Incident
The German defender made headlines after losing his cool when his Real Madrid team lost the Spanish Cup final in 2025. The defender, who had already been replaced, reacted angrily to a referee decision against his teammate Kylian Mbappe. Gestures and verbal clashes are common in football, but Rüdiger went too far. He was wild-eyed when he was originally held back by teammates and coaching staff before hurling an object, accepted as an ice cube, at referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea.
Context of the Incident
Real Madrid had canceled their media obligations and an open training before the game after de Burgos discussed the effects of verbal criticism against referees on Real Madrid TV. He mentioned how his child was affected by people telling him that his father was a thief. Real Madrid struck back, stating that de Burgos’ comments were made intentionally 24 hours before kickoff and showed clear hostility towards the team. The bad blood boiled over in the final, with Jude Bellingham and Lucas Vazquez being sent off for their reactions.
Aftermath and Potential Consequences
A ban seems almost certain for Rüdiger, with the length being the only question. The disciplinary code of the Spanish Football Association states that "mild violence" against a referee can result in a suspension of between four and 12 games. If the offense is classified as more serious, a ban of several months could be handed down. There is hardly a precedent for an incident like Rüdiger’s, but Alexander Mitrovic was banned for eight games for pushing a referee in 2023.
Reaction to the Incident
Rüdiger apologized for his actions on social media, stating that there was no excuse for his behavior and that he was sorry for disappointing everyone. The condemnation of Rüdiger’s behavior was almost universal, with several former players and coaches weighing in. Former German national Dietmar Hamann wants the Germany FA (DFB) to take action, suggesting that Rüdiger should be suspended. However, German national team manager Rudi Völler suggested that the DFB would probably not ban the player, despite condemning his actions.
History of Controversy
This is not the first time Rüdiger has been in trouble. Earlier this year, UEFA opened a case against him and teammates Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius JR, and Dani Ceballos after a victory against Atletico. Rüdiger and Mbappe received one-match bans for their actions. He was also criticized for making a gesture of the neck in punishment and for shouting "Viva Athletic de Bilbao!" in the Real Madrid dressing room after a cup victory against Bilbao’s rival, Real Sociedad. Before these incidents, Rüdiger’s career was largely controversy-free, although he was targeted by the far-right during Germany’s Euro 2024 campaign.
