Antonio Rudiger faces severe punishment for throwing ice at referee

In Spain, during the Copa del Rey final on Saturday, April 26, 2025, tensions escalated when Antonio Rudiger of Real Madrid reacted angrily after his team lost 3-2 to Barcelona. The match concluded with Rudiger's outburst occurring late in the game as he became incensed after a foul was called on his teammate Kylian Mbappé, who was in a promising position to score a goal. Substituted from the game, Rudiger reportedly shouted at the referee and was restrained by teammates and staff. Despite being unable to affect the game on the field, he threw a small bag of ice toward the referee, Ricardo de Burgos Bengoechea, though it did not reach him. The situation was aggravated by a prior campaign by Real Madrid's official television channel that criticized the referee's decisions leading up to the match. The referee documented the incident in his match report, indicating that Rudiger displayed aggressive behavior and threw an object from the coaching area. Alongside Rudiger's red card, two other Madrid players, Jude Bellingham and Lucas Vázquez, received red cards for their dissent toward the referee in the closing moments of the match, marking a tumultuous end to a fiercely contested game. All three players now face potential suspensions due to their actions, with Rudiger's situation being notably serious given the circumstances of his outburst. Following the match's conclusion, Rudiger took to Instagram to issue an apology for his behavior, expressing regret for his actions and acknowledging that there was no excuse for his outburst. He reflected on the game positively, stating that the team played well in the second half, and noted that he had been physically limited due to exhaustion after 111 minutes of play. Rudiger’s admission showed a measure of responsibility for his actions, an important factor in the context of any possible disciplinary proceedings. The ramifications for Rudiger could mean a multi-game suspension if the disciplinary committee decides to take strong action regarding his conduct. This incident highlights not only the emotional intensity of high-stakes matches like the Copa del Rey final but also the necessity for players to maintain composure despite the pressures that accompany competitive football. Given the circumstances surrounding the match and the actions of multiple players, the focus will now shift to how the Spanish Football Federation addresses the conduct of all parties involved and what measures they will implement to ensure that incidents like these are mitigated in the future.