Overview
- Antonio Rüdiger received a red card during the Copa del Rey final for throwing an ice pack at the referee and verbally insulting him after being substituted.
- The defender faces a potential suspension of four to twelve games, which could affect his participation in La Liga and international competitions.
- Rüdiger issued a public apology on Instagram, expressing regret for his actions and apologizing to the referee and fans.
- Former FIFA referee Thorsten Kinhöfer and ex-players Lothar Matthäus and Dietmar Hamann have criticized Rüdiger's behavior and urged Germany's coach Julian Nagelsmann to take decisive action.
- Nagelsmann is under pressure to decide whether Rüdiger will remain in Germany's Nations League squad, with the semifinals against Portugal approaching in June.