Antonio Rudiger was sent off for throwing an object at the referee during Real Madrid’s Copa del Rey final defeat by Barcelona.
Rudiger and Real team-mate Lucas Vazquez, who had both been substituted, were shown straight red cards for angrily reacting to a foul given against Kylian Mbappe shortly before the final whistle.
Real’s England midfielder Jude Bellingham, 21, was also later sent off for dissent.
Referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea said in his report that centre-back Rudiger, 32, was dismissed for “throwing an object from the technical area, which missed me”. Rudiger reportedly threw an ice cube at the official.
The Germany defender could be facing a lengthy ban, according to the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) disciplinary code.
If sanctioned under article 101, which covers “mild violence” towards referees, Rudiger could receive a suspension of between four and 12 matches.
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 if “the act was a single act and did not cause any harmful consequences”.
If the act is deemed as having posed a “serious risk” even without the referee requiring medical attention, the suspension could extend to between six months and a year.
Real Madrid had come from behind to lead 2-1 before Ferran Torres’ 84th-minute equaliser sent the Clasico final in Seville to extra time.
Barcelona defender Jules Kounde drilled in a 22-yard screamer in the 116th minute to ultimately win a thrilling encounter on Saturday.
In the final moments, Real forward Mbappe tried to shrug off Eric Garcia and drive into the penalty area but was penalised for a foul on the Barcelona defender.
The Real bench reacted furiously, with Rudiger appearing to throw an object at De Burgos Bengoetxea, for which he was dismissed, before having to also be restrained by members of the Real coaching staff.
Vazquez, 33, was sent off for entering the field of play and protesting against the decision.
“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,” said Premier Sports commentator Terry Gibson.
“It’s pathetic from the Real Madrid players.”
The referee report states Bellingham was later sent off for approaching the officials in an “aggressive attitude” and “having to be restrained by his team-mates”.
Video footage of the tunnel at half-time appears to show Bellingham say: “Everything goes in their favour. Every 50-50 decision goes in their favour” – though he was not sanctioned for this comment.
It is the second time Bellingham has been sent off for Real this season for dissent. He was given a two-match ban for swearing at the referee in a 1-1 La Liga draw with Osasuna in Februrary.
BBC
