By KBC Associate 
Antonio Rudiger has apologised for his conduct at the end of Real Madrid’s 3-2 Copa del Rey final defeat to Barcelona amid reports he could face a lengthy suspension.
A gripping Clasico in Seville was marred by chaotic scenes, with Rudiger, having been substituted, sent off for throwing ice at referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea in the final seconds of extra time.
After his dismissal, Rudiger then had to be restrained by team-mates and members of the backroom staff. Lucas Vazquez and Jude Bellingham were subsequently sent off following the full-time whistle.
Rudiger reportedly could be banned for as many as 12 games for his actions, for which he took responsibility in an apology on X (formerly Twitter).
“There’s definitely no excuse for my behaviour last night. I’m very sorry for that,” Rudiger wrote.
“We played a very good game from the second 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.”
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…
— Antonio Rüdiger (@ToniRuediger) April 27, 2025
Madrid had prior to the game petitioned for Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea and the VAR official to be removed from the game, pointing to criticism of the referee-focused content on the club’s TV channel.
Bengoetxea’s biggest call of the game went in Madrid’s favour as, following a VAR review at the pitchside monitor, he reversed his initial decision to award Barcelona a 96th-minute penalty after Raul Asencio appeared to bring down Raphinha.
That meant normal time ended with the game level at 2-2, Ferran Torres having equalised after Kylian Mbappe’s free-kick and Aurelien Tchouameni’s header had given Madrid a second-half lead following Pedri’s stunning opener for Barca.
But Jules Kounde’s fierce drive in the 116th minute secured victory for Barcelona as they stayed on course for the treble.
Madrid are four points behind Barcelona in LaLiga with five games remaining. They host Celta Vigo next Sunday before a potentially decisive Clasico with the Blaugrana at Barcelona’s Olympic Stadium seven days later.
“We have two days to rest now. Then we will prepare for two important games against Celta Vigo and Barcelona,” said coach Carlo Ancelotti.
“Overall, I felt we had the game under control, but they were able to play balls in behind us and that’s when things got complicated, particularly for their second goal.
“We have to keep fighting because we gave everything, we competed very well, and there’s nothing to complain about. We were closer to winning than our opponents were.”