MUNICH, Germany, Apr 28 (AFP): Real Madrid defender Antonio Ruediger "has to change and he knows it himself", Rudi Voeller, the German national team's sporting director said Monday, following the player's behaviour in the Spanish Cup final.
"Toni is an exceptional footballer and a very emotional guy, a fighter on the pitch. He has to stay that way. 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," Voeller told German news agency SID, a subsidiary of AFP.
The centre-back, substituted in extra-time and in the final stages of Barcelona's 3-2 Clasico victory, threw something at referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea in the final seconds.
Rudiger had to be held back from confronting the official by team-mates and staff, was shown a red card, with fellow Real Madrid players Lucas Vazquez and Jude Bellingham also dismissed at the end of the game.
Before the final, Bengoetxea and VAR referee Pablo Gonzalez Fuertes complained about attacks from Real 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," added Voeller, a former Germany coach.
Ruediger faces a suspension of between four and 12 matches under Spanish Football Association rules.
"There's definitely no excuse for my behaviour last night. I'm very sorry for that," Ruediger posted on social media on Sunday.
"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."
