DFB issues statement on Rüdiger behaviour | OneFootball

The 32-year-old was involved in an incident involving an object thrown at referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea, who said in his post-match report that Rüdiger was sent off for: “throwing an object from the technical area, which missed me.”

Spanish reports on the incident suggest that it was an ice cube thrown by the defender.

Facing a lengthy ban, the Spanish Football Federation disciplinary code outlines that this incident could result in a suspension between four to 12 matches; however if the outburst is deemed more serious, Rüdiger may be out of action for three to six months.

The DFB has sharply criticised Rüdiger, however, there are likely to be no consequences for his career with the national team.

Speaking to SID, German national team sporting director Rudi Völler said that: “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.”

Völler described Rüdiger as "a fighter on the pitch," emphasising that he should retain that fighting spirit. However, he criticised the reaction during the match: “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 kickoff. That is unacceptable, particularly for a German international."

Völler stressed that Rüdiger must “make changes”, something the player himself acknowledges: “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,” the 1990 World Cup winner concluded.