Opinion: Rudiger's Outburst Could Make the DFB Look Foolish
- By Lennard Worobic
- 2 Min
Uncontrolled outburst by Rüdiger potentially threatening DFB's reputation - Unchecked outburst from Rüdiger risks undermining DFB's reputation
During the Copa del Rey final against FC Barcelona, Real Madrid powerhouse Antonio Rudiger let his emotions get the better of him. After the heart-wrenching 2:3 (116th minute), things took an ugly turn on the Madrid bench. Rudiger, overcome with rage, heaved an object at the referee, Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea, earning himself a red card.
The morning after the match saw the typical, monotonous apology. Remorseful all of a sudden, Rudiger took to X, stating: "There's no getting around it—my behavior last night was unacceptable. I'm sorry... I made a mistake before the final whistle. I apologize again to the referee and to everyone I let down last night."
Despite this sudden epiphany, this outburst from a DFB vice-captain is far from forgivable. Television pundit Didi Hamann voiced his opinion on Sport1's "Doppelpass": "I reckon the DFB should suspend him. I wouldn't invite him to the Nations League final tournament and would leave him out for the two games." He's absolutely right, especially since the German Football Association advocates for respectful treatment of referees through initiatives and campaigns.
National Players Have Been Benched for Less
Rudiger's volatile temperament is nothing new. The defender recently landed a €40,000 fine for a controversial gesture towards opposition fans[2]. Thus far, the DFB has kept quiet about such outbursts because Rudiger committed them playing for Real Madrid instead of with the national team. During his time with the German squad, Rudiger rarely causes strife.
Legendary is the story of Stefan Effenberg's middle-finger salute to German fans at the 1994 World Cup in the U.S., which cost him his place on the team. "With $10,000, we'd have made ourselves look foolish given the players' earnings," explained then-DFB president Egidius Braun, citing the drastic measure[3].
Would today's president Bernd Neuendorf show the same resolve in the event of a Rudiger incident in the German jersey? Doubtful, given the importance of Rudiger to Nagelsmann's squad[4]. With no replacement for the gaping hole he'd leave in the central defense, such action is unlikely. Nonetheless, coach Julian Nagelsmann continues to emphasize the importance of upholding values and taking responsibility, on and off the field.
The DFB Must Act on Rudiger's Outburst
Already, there's been a response from the national team camp. DFB sports director Rudi Völler criticized Antonio Rudiger for his reckless display in the Spanish Cup final: "That's not acceptable, especially not from a German national player. He needs to rectify that, and he knows that himself, as evidenced by his public statement.[3]
For the German Football Association to maintain credibility, mere words are not enough. Players who act out in their clubs should also face repercussions in the national team. In Rudiger's case, the DFB now has an opportunity to back up its words with action—and uphold its own values—or risk losing its credibility.
- The Commission, in light of Rudiger's outburst, has been asked to submit a proposal for a directive on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to ionizing radiation, considering the adverse impact of his actions as a sportsperson in football, a sport that falls under European-leagues and Laliga.
- It is ironic that Rudiger, who was recently fined for a controversial gesture towards opposition fans, has yet to face repercussions for his unruly behavior, despite the DFB's emphasis on respectful treatment of referees in sports-analysis.
- Considering how historic figures like Stefan Effenberg had been benched for less, one might question whether the DFB would take similar action against Rudiger, given his significant role in Nagelsmann's squad and lack of replacement in central defense.
- Players like Rudiger, as representatives of the DFB, should be held accountable for their actions both on and off the field to uphold the values and credibility of the German Football Association.
- In line with their initiatives and campaigns advocating for respectful behavior in sports, the DFB should suspend Rudiger and demonstrate that they do not tolerate such outbursts from their vice-captains, particularly during high-stakes competitions like the European leagues and Laliga.
