Antonio Rudiger of Real Madrid should be kicked off the national team, according to Germans, following his outburst against Barcelona in the Copa del Rey final.
Real Madrid star Rudiger was sent off in Los Blancos’ Copa del Rey final loss to Barcelona on Saturday after the centre-back launched a projectile towards referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea when the official awarded the Catalan side a foul in the closing stages of the match. The German, who had been substituted off before the incident, is now set to face a lengthy suspension for his actions.
Former FIFA referee Thorsten Kinhofer, who now serves as an expert with German publication BILD, has urged Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann to reconsider Rudiger’s position in the national team, as he believes that the centre-back’s violent conduct is a ‘disgrace’ to the country. He told BILD (via Mundo Deportivo): “Rudiger’s behaviour is a disgrace. The national team coach should consider whether such a man can continue to represent our country.”
Additionally, a poll held by BILD, which over 18,000 readers voted on, has concluded that a staggering 78% of people believe the former Chelsea defender should not play for the German national team, while 2% remained undecided about what decision Nagelsmann should take. Only 20% of the readers believe that the Real Madrid star should not suffer on the national stage.
