Antonio Rüdiger Handed A Six-Match BAN, Lucas Vazquez Faces two-match Suspension, And Jude Bellingham Red Card In The Copa del Rey Withdrawn.

Real Madrid defender Antonio Rüdiger have been handed a six-match ban for his late red card against Barcelona in the Copa del Rey final last Saturday.

His fellow teammate and defender Lucas Vazquez also faces a two-match suspension by the RFEF Competitions Committee.

The judge of the competition also overturned midfielder Jude Bellingham's red card.

It happened that just before the end of extra-time final whistle charged with tension, a number of Real Madrid players lost their cool towards the referee as Barcelona won the game 3-2 with Jules Kounde’s strike in the 116th minute clinching victory for Hansi Flick’s side to end a thrilling final.

Rudiger, who was on the bench as he was already substituted in the 111th minute for Endrick, was involved in an aggressive altercation with referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea and even threw an object in the direction of the match official, he had to be held back by his team-mates and coaching staff.

As such, he was expected to face a severe sanction between 4-12 games, with the disciplinary body now handing him a six-game ban.

Given that the suspension is for more than four matches, it will be applicable across all competitions, meaning Rudiger will serve the suspension in the remaining five matches in La Liga this season and will need to sit out of the first La Liga game of the 2025/26 season for Los Blancos.

Rudiger went on to post an apology on his social media accounts on Sunday: “There’s definitely no excuse for my behaviour last night. I’m very sorry for that.

“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.”

The 32-year-old German defender is currently injured and after the successful surgery on his meniscus on Tuesday, Rudiger revealed that he was “playing with pain for seven months.”

Here is the statement he released on social media:

“After I have played more than seven months with severe pain, it was unfortunately unavoidable that I had to undergo a meniscus surgery. Now I’m finally pain-free again, and the surgery was a success. Thanks to the medical team and especially @guidospiran. I want to be able to play again as soon as possible as two big tournaments with the Nations League and the Club World Cup are in front of me, but I have to look from week to week now and we will see. I will do everything I can to make it happen. See you soon and take care of yourselves.”

As for Vazquez who had been substituted off in the 55th minute, he was dismissed “for protesting one of our decisions, entering various metres onto the playing surface, and making gestures of disconformity.”

The veteran right-back faces a two-match suspension, which will be served in the Copa del Rey next season – although at this point it is uncertain if he will still be a Real Madrid player by then.

On the other hand, Bellingham who played the full 120 minutes of football, was shown a red card by the referee after the full-time whistle with the official report from stating that the sending-off was because the midfielder walked aggressively towards him and had to be restrained by his teammates.

However, after reviewing the video footage involving the incident, the Competitions Committee has found no wrongdoing from the England international.

As such, they have proceeded to rescind the red card shown to him, meaning Bellingham will not be suspended at all.

Real Madrid will now prepare for life without Rudiger for a few weeks, starting with Celta Vigo on the weekend.

The Spanish giants will finish the current season with Raúl Asencio, David Alaba and Jesús Vallejo as the only centre-backs available.

Carlo Ancelotti’s side still have a crucial El Clásico to play when they travel to Barcelona on Sunday 11th May, which will make a huge impact in the La Liga title race.

They are second on the table with 72 points after 33 games, while leaders Barcelona have 76 points.