Antonio Rudiger’s red card in the recent Copa del Rey final has earned the ire of a number of German football legends. 

The Germany centre back was shown a red card after growing frustrated and throwing an ice pack towards referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea in the 3-2 defeat by Barcelona. 

Rudiger wasn’t the only one to be given his marching orders in the hugely dramatic El Clasico clash, with Lucas Vazquez and Jude Bellingham also seeing red in the dying stages of extra time. 

However Rudiger’s head loss has seen him come in for widespread criticism, and he could even now face a huge 12-match ban. 

While De Burgos Bengoetxea’s post-match report claims the player was sent off for throwing the object towards him, Rudiger is also believed to have been seen insulting the referee, with some reports claiming the defender said ‘you’re a miscarriage’ and ‘son of a wh***’.

Now, though, he has come in for harsh critcisms from several legends of German football, with former Ballon d’Or winner Lothar Matthaus claiming Rudiger ‘went crazy’.

Real Madrid's Antonio Rudiger could face a 12-match ban after he threw ice at the referee

Real Madrid’s Antonio Rudiger could face a 12-match ban after he threw ice at the referee 

Real Madrid were beaten 3-2 in dramatic fashion by arch-rivals Barcelona in the Copa del Rey

Real Madrid were beaten 3-2 in dramatic fashion by arch-rivals Barcelona in the Copa del Rey

German legend and former Ballon d'Or winner Lothar Matthaus claimed Rudiger went 'crazy'

German legend and former Ballon d’Or winner Lothar Matthaus claimed Rudiger went ‘crazy’

‘He went crazy, he was no longer in control,’ Matthaus told Sky90. ‘He’s a German international, he should be an example. Yesterday he forgot all that.’ 

‘If he walks away with a four-week suspension, he can be satisfied. I’m more thinking of a double-digit ban. I expect a massive ban. Besides, he was on probation.’

Matthaus’ Sky colleague, Dietmar Hamann meanwhile called for the national team to take action following the behaviour of one of their key figure

‘The federation must immediately suspend Rudiger from the national team,’ the former Liverpool midfielder added.

Rudiger, who has since apologised, could face a lengthy spell on the sidelines with the Spanish Football Federation disciplinary code stating that ‘mild violence’ towards the referee could result in a 12-game ban.

However, he could be banned for up to six months if his actions are deemed as ‘assault against referees’. If the act is believed to have posed a ‘serious risk’, the suspension could last up to a year. 

As such, Germany’s sporting director and former icon Rudi Voller lamented the behaviour in his charge, insisting that his behaviour on and off the field ‘must’ mirror the level of his prodigious talent. 

‘Toni is a great player, but as a German international, he must also demonstrate that class in his behavior,’ said the 1990 World Cup winner.

Lucas Vazquez was also sent off after storming onto the pitch to protest a call late on, with Jude Bellingham dismissed as well

Lucas Vazquez was also sent off after storming onto the pitch to protest a call late on, with Jude Bellingham dismissed as well

Rudiger did apologise for his actions after the defeat but still faces a potentially hefty ban

Rudiger did apologise for his actions after the defeat but still faces a potentially hefty ban

Germany director Rudi Voller revealed Rudiger had contacted him and Julian Nagelsmann

Germany director Rudi Voller revealed Rudiger had contacted him and Julian Nagelsmann

‘He rightly demands respect for himself, and he must offer that same respect to others without exception. Antonio Rudiger is an exceptional footballer and a very emotional person, a fighter on the pitch, and he must remain so.

‘However, in this case, both he and some of his team-mates allowed themselves to be too influenced by the extremely tense atmosphere that, inexplicably, surrounds the club on several occasions. That cannot happen. Especially not as a German international. 

‘Toni must change in that regard, and he himself knows it. Yesterday, he contacted Julian [Nagelsmann] and me, and we spoke for a long time about the situation.’

Following Madrid’s loss, Rudiger wrote:  ‘There’s definitely no excuse for my behaviour last night. I’m very sorry for that.

‘We played a very good game from the 2nd half on – After 111 minutes I was not able to help my team anymore and before the final whistle I did a mistake.

‘Sorry again to the referee and to everyone I have disappointed last night.’

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