Ruediger ‘must show respect to others’ says Germany boss Voeller

MUNICH: Real Madrid defender Antonio Ruediger "has to change and he knows it himself" Germany sporting director Rudi Voeller said on Monday, following the player´s behaviour in the Copa del Rey final.

Germany centre-back Ruediger was substituted in extra-time of Sunday´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 Sunday, 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 Sunday. "We discussed the situation for a long time," said Voeller. He said an exchange also took place internally within the German Football Association (DFB).