German people believe Real Madrid’s Antonio Rudiger should be expelled from the national team for his Copa del Rey final outburst against Barcelona.
WHAT HAPPENED?
Real Madrid star Rudiger was sent off in Los Blancos’ Copa del Rey final loss to Barcelona on Saturday after the centre-back launched a projectile towards referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea when the official awarded the Catalan side a foul in the closing stages of the match. The German, who had been substituted off before the incident, is now set to face a lengthy suspension for his actions.
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Former FIFA referee Thorsten Kinhofer, who now serves as an expert with German publication BILD, has urged Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann to reconsider Rudiger’s position in the national team, as he believes that the centre-back’s violent conduct is a ‘disgrace’ to the country. He told BILD (via Mundo Deportivo): “Rudiger’s behaviour is a disgrace. The national team coach should consider whether such a man can continue to represent our country.”
DID YOU KNOW?
Additionally, a poll held by BILD, which over 18,000 readers voted on, has concluded that a staggering 78% of people believe the former Chelsea defender should not play for the German national team, while 2% remained undecided about what decision Nagelsmann should take. Only 20% of the readers believe that the Real Madrid star should not suffer on the national stage.
TELL ME MORE…
German national team sporting director Rudi Voller has now openly criticised Rudiger’s actions in the Copa del Rey final, but revealed that his actions will likely not affect his standing with the national team. Voller also revealed that the centre-back has already reached out to him and Nagelsmann.
Speaking to SID, Voller said: “Toni is a great player, but as a national team player, he must also show class in his behaviour. He rightly demands respect for himself, but he must extend that same respect to others without exception.
“In this case, he and some teammates allowed themselves to be swept up by the extremely heated atmosphere that, inexplicably, often surrounds the club even before kick-off. That is unacceptable, particularly for a German international.
“Toni reached out to (national coach) Julian Nagelsmann and me yesterday, and we had an extensive conversation about the situation, directly with him, and internally with (DFB president) Bernd Neuendorf and (DFB sporting director) Andreas Rittig.”
WHAT NEXT FOR RUDIGER?
The 32-year-old is now likely to miss the end of the season for Real Madrid as a ban of four to 12 games has been discussed by the Spanish media. However, if Rudiger is given a stricter punishment, which may be unlikely, his involvement in the Club World Cup in June could be at risk.
