Real Madrid’s Antonio Rüdiger banned six matches for referee incident, undergoes knee surgery

Real Madrid defender Antonio Rüdiger has been handed a six-game suspension by the Spanish football federation for “minor violence” toward match officials during Saturday’s 3-2 Copa del Rey final loss to Barcelona.

The ban follows Rüdiger’s aggressive reaction in extra time, during which he shouted at the referee and appeared to throw a small bag of ice. Teammate Lucas Vázquez was also penalized, receiving a two-match ban for his protests.

Though Rüdiger has since apologized, the controversy sparked backlash, including calls from former German international Dietmar Hamann for the player to be dropped from Germany’s Nations League squad.

On the same day the ban was announced, Rüdiger underwent surgery for a meniscus tear in his left knee, which he revealed had been causing him “severe pain.” The 32-year-old shared updates from the hospital, saying the procedure was successful and he is now pain-free. No official recovery timeline was given, but he is expected to miss several weeks.

Rüdiger is aiming to return in time for two major tournaments: the UEFA Nations League semifinals against Portugal on June 4 and Real Madrid’s Club World Cup opener in the U.S. on June 18. “I will do everything I can to make it happen,” he said.