Ruediger ‘must show respect to others' says Germany boss Voeller
Real Madrid's German defender #22 Antonio Ruediger (L) and Barcelona's Spanish forward #07 Ferran Torres fight for the ball during their Spanish Cup, Copa del Rey (King's Cup) final football match between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid CF at La Cartuja stadium in Seville on April 26, 2025. (Photo by Josep LAGO / AFP)
MUNICH - Real Madrid defender Antonio Ruediger 'has to change and he knows it himself' Germany sporting director Rudi Voeller said on April 28, following the player's behaviour in the Copa del Rey final.
Germany centre-back Ruediger was substituted in extra-time of April 27's 3-2 Clasico loss to Barcelona before being sent off for throwing an object at referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea.
The 32-year-old had to be held back from confronting the official by fellow Madrid players and staff as he was shown a red card, with team-mates Lucas Vazquez and Jude Bellingham also dismissed at the end of the game.
'Toni is an exceptional footballer and a very emotional guy, a fighter on the pitch. He has to stay that way,' Voeller told German news agency SID, a subsidiary of AFP.
'But in this case, he and some of his team-mates, let themselves be influenced too much by the extremely tense atmosphere around the club,' he added.
Before the final, Bengoetxea and VAR referee Pablo Gonzalez Fuertes complained about attacks from Madrid's club television channel on officials this season.
'This can't happen. Especially not as a player for the German national team. He has to change that and he knows it himself, as his public reaction shows,' former Germany coach Voeller said.
On April 27, Ruediger apologised for his actions.
'There's definitely no excuse for my behaviour last night. I'm very sorry for that,' Ruediger said on social media.
'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,' he added.
Voeller said the German international contacted him and Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann on April 27.
'We discussed the situation for a long time,' said Voeller.
He said an exchange also took place internally within the German Football Association (DFB).
Real Madrid players remonstrate with Spanish referee Ricardo De Burgos Bengoetxea during the Copa del Rey final football match between Barcelona and Real Madrid.
PHOTO: AFP
'Toni is an excellent player, but as a national team player, he must also show class in his behaviour,' Voeller said.
'He rightly demands respect for himself. This respect he must also show to others without exception,' the ex-Germany striker added.
'Suspend him'
Other former Germany internationals rushed to voice outrage or support.
Ex-Germany captain Lothar Matthaeus, who holds the national team appearance record, demanded action.
'He lost his mind,' Matthaeus told German broadcaster Sky. 'He was out of control. I expect a XXL suspension.'
Germany's national team director Rudi Voeller (left), Germany's head coach Julian Nagelsmann (centre) and Managing Director Sport Andreas Rettig during a training session of Germany's national football team.
PHOTO: AFP
Matthaeus pointed out Ruediger was already under scrutiny after receiving a one-match ban from European governing body Uefa for a throat-slitting gesture after netting a penalty in a shootout win over Atletico Madrid in a Champions League victory in March.
Ruediger faces a suspension of between four and 12 matches under Spanish Football Association rules, but SID said he is not expected to be sanctioned by the DFB.
Dieter Hamman, a midfielder who played 59 times for Germany also called for the DFB to act.
'I think the DFB should suspend him. I wouldn't consider him for the Nations League finals, so I would suspend him for two matches,' Hamann told German channel Sport 1.
Former Germany goalkeeper Jens Lehmann disagreed.
'He became such a great player because of who he is. And if we try to take that away from him now, he might not be able to reach his full potential. I'm not sure we can afford to do without him,' said Lehmann said on Welt TV.
Germany host the final four of the Nations League, and will play a semi-final against Portugal on June 4 in Munich and a final or third-place play-off four days later. AFP
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