Real Madrid defender Antonio Rudiger has been hit with a six-game suspension following his outburst during the Copa del Rey final against Barcelona, where he threw an object toward the referee. Although he had already been substituted, officials issued the red card after the incident, which occurred during extra time in a heated match that ended in a 3-2 win for Barcelona in Seville on Saturday.

The disciplinary decision, announced Tuesday by the Spanish Football Federation, brings a harsh end to Rudiger’s season. Earlier the same day, the 32-year-old underwent knee surgery, which rules him out of Real Madrid’s remaining five La Liga fixtures. He will serve the final game of his suspension at the start of the next campaign.

Defender Issues Apology for Emotional Outburst

Rudiger quickly acknowledged his misconduct and offered an apology on Instagram. “There’s definitely no excuse for my behaviour last night. I’m very sorry for that,” he wrote. “Before the final whistle, I made a mistake. Sorry again to the referee and to everyone I have disappointed.”

Spanish football regulations permit suspensions ranging from four to twelve matches for such conduct, and Rudiger’s six-match ban falls squarely within that range. He will now miss the crucial upcoming El Clasico on May 11, which could have major implications in the title race.

Bellingham Escapes Ban After Review Clears His Name

Midfielder Jude Bellingham, who was also shown a red card after the final whistle, will face no disciplinary action. The federation’s disciplinary panel overturned his sending-off after determining that the match report filed by referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea contained serious inaccuracies.

According to the disciplinary committee, video footage did not support claims that Bellingham acted aggressively or that teammates restrained him. “The footage provided confirms a reality different from that described in the referee’s report,” the statement explained. “There is no proximity to the referee, no aggressive behaviour observed, nor any indication that his teammates restrained him to prevent aggressive action toward the referee, which is explicitly stated in the report.”

Vazquez Receives Two-Match Ban

Lucas Vázquez, another Real Madrid player ejected in the closing moments of the final, has been handed a two-game ban for his protests toward match officials. His suspension further weakens Real Madrid’s squad heading into the final stretch of the domestic season.

Officiating Tensions Fuel Final’s Chaos

The chaos that unfolded during and after the Copa del Rey final came on the heels of growing friction between Real Madrid and Spanish match officials. On the day before the final, referees held a rare press conference in which they condemned ongoing criticism and verbal attacks from Real Madrid’s in-house television station.

In response, Real Madrid issued a strongly worded statement denouncing the officials’ remarks as “unacceptable” and “threatening.” That backdrop of tension arguably escalated the drama during the final, where tempers flared and emotions boiled over.

Real Madrid Faces Critical Run-In Without Key Players

With Rudiger sidelined for the remainder of the season, and both Vazquez and several others dealing with suspension or injuries, Real Madrid’s path forward has grown significantly more challenging. As the team battles for La Liga supremacy and prepares for the season-defining El Clasico, they will need to cope without several top performers due to disciplinary fallout.