Antonio Rudiger is facing a heavy suspension after throwing ice at the referee during Real Madrid’s Copa del Rey final loss to Barcelona on Saturday night.

Jules Kounde’s extra-time goal secured a 3-2 win for Barcelona, while chaos erupted on Madrid’s bench late in the game as an angry Rudiger tried to confront referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea.

Lucas Vazquez and Vinicius Junior both rushed onto the field and gestured furiously at the referee before Rudiger followed and threw an ice cube from the sideline, close to where Carlo Ancelotti was standing, toward the middle of the pitch.

Antonio Rudiger now faces a lengthy ban for his touchline conduct (SSC)

Rudiger’s behaviour will put further scrutiny on Madrid’s conduct towards officials in Spain, which was highlighted by a tearful De Burgos Bengoetxea during the officials’ pre-match press conference on Friday.

De Burgos Bengoetxea and Pablo Gonzalez Fuertes, the VAR referee, both hit out at Madrid’s coverage of la Liga’s officials on own TV channel.

‘When a child of yours goes to school and there are kids telling him that his father is a ‘thief’ and comes home crying, it’s totally messed up,’ De Burgos Bengoetxea said.

De Burgos Bengoetxea approached the technical area and showed red cards to Vazquez and Rudiger, who then attempted to get to the referee.

Madrid staff intervened to restrain the former Chelsea defender, who had also removed a large ice pack from his right knee.

Six individuals, including players Ferland Mendy and Jesus Vallejo, stepped in to try to calm Rudiger down before he was led away from the technical zone.

Rudiger appeared to head back to the dressing room but returned minutes later, trying to reach the centre circle where De Burgos Bengoetxea and his assistants stood.

Goalkeeping coach Luis Llopis and keeper Andrii Lunin eventually convinced Rudiger to change his mind and leave the pitch for good.

Rudiger was not seen again, neither during Barcelona’s trophy celebrations nor during the opponent’s post-match events.

In his official report to the Spanish Football Federation, De Burgos Bengoetxea confirmed Rudiger had thrown “an object which missed me,” while Jude Bellingham was also dismissed after full time for “aggressive behaviour” towards officials.

The referee’s report stated: “In the 120th minute, player (22) Rüdiger, Antonio, was sent off for the following reason: For throwing an object from the technical area, which missed me. After the red card, he had to be restrained by coaching staff, showing an aggressive attitude.

“In the 120th minute, player (17) Vazquez Iglesias, Lucas, was sent off for protesting a decision, entering the field several meters, and making gestures of disagreement.

“In the 999th minute, player (5) Bellingham, Jude Victor William, was sent off for approaching our position aggressively after the match, having to be restrained by teammates.”

Rudiger now faces a long suspension following his outburst (SSC).

His actions increase scrutiny on Madrid’s behaviour towards referees in Spain, an issue highlighted by a tearful De Burgos Bengoetxea during a pre-match press conference on Friday.

De Burgos Bengoetxea and VAR official Pablo Gonzalez Fuertes both criticised Madrid’s coverage of referees on their club-owned TV channel.

“When your child goes to school and hears other kids calling his father a ‘thief’ and comes home crying, it’s deeply upsetting,” De Burgos Bengoetxea said.

Ricardo De Burgos Bengoetxea broke down in tears during the pre-game press conference (AFP via Getty).

“What I teach my son is that his father is, above all, honest. Like any athlete, he can make mistakes.

“But this situation is wrong, not just in professional football but even at grassroots levels.

“Everyone needs to reflect on what we want for sport and football.”

Madrid, in turn, were angered by the officials’ statements, calling them “unacceptable” in a long statement on Friday night.

They also demanded the Spanish Football Federation replace the officiating team for the Copa del Rey final against Barcelona, but their request was denied.

Jules Kounde’s goal in extra time handed Barcelona the Copa del Rey title (Reuters).

Pedri gave Barcelona an early lead at Estadio de La Cartuja in Seville, but Kylian Mbappe, who started on the bench with an ankle knock, equalised for Madrid in the 70th minute.

Carlo Ancelotti’s team went ahead through Aurelien Tchouameni, but Ferran Torres levelled the game again in the 84th minute, pushing the final into extra time.