After the #RMDBAR Showdown in the Copa De Ray Final…Real Madrid player for throwing Ice at the Referee and making a gesture “I’ll Ki!l You”.

Real Madrid defender Antonio Rüdiger has issued a public apology for his behavior during the Copa del Rey final loss to Barcelona on Saturday. The German international was shown a straight red card after erupting in fury and throwing an object at the referee, Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea, in response to a disputed call.

The incident occurred in the 116th minute, when Barcelona’s Jules Kounde scored the winning goal, and Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappé was denied a potential chance to equalize due to a foul call. Rüdiger, who had been substituted earlier due to physical discomfort, lost his composure on the bench and had to be restrained by his teammates and coaching staff to prevent him from confronting the referee.

Rüdiger took to social media to express his regret, stating that there was no excuse for his behavior and apologizing to the referee and everyone he had disappointed. He acknowledged that his team had played well from the second half onwards but lamented his mistake in the final minutes of the game.

The incident has put Rüdiger at risk of a severe sanction, with a potential suspension ranging from four to 12 matches according to Spanish FA regulations. If imposed, the ban would apply to all domestic competitions, including LaLiga, which could have significant implications for Real Madrid’s title chances.

Real Madrid currently trails Barcelona by four points in the league standings with five fixtures remaining, making the league their only remaining chance for silverware this season. The team’s chances of winning the league will depend on their performance in the remaining matches, and Rüdiger’s potential suspension could be a significant blow to their title aspirations.