Rüdiger receives six-match suspension for hurling item at official

Real Madrid defender Antonio Rüdiger has been suspended for six league matches after throwing an ice cube toward the referee during their Copa del Rey final loss to Barcelona. The incident, which occurred after a foul on Kylian Mbappe, led to straight red cards for both Rüdiger and Lucas Vázquez, who had already been substituted. The Spanish Football Federation labeled Rüdiger’s act as “minor violence” toward an official. His suspension will cover the last five La Liga games this season and the first game of next season, though he is already sidelined following recent knee surgery. Rüdiger apologized, and the club used his statement in an appeal for leniency. Vázquez received a two-match Copa del Rey ban, while Jude Bellingham’s red card for dissent was overturned after video evidence cleared him. Real also confirmed injuries to Ferland Mendy and David Alaba.