Opinion: Rüdiger-extradion could cost the DFB its credibility

In the Copa-Del-Rey final against FC Barcelona, ​​Real-Madrid star Antonio Rüdiger burned all the fuses. Shortly after the decisive 2: 3 (116th minute) there was a tumult on the royal bench. Rüdiger freaked out and threw an object according to referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea. He gave him the red card.

The usual, predictable apology followed the morning after the game. Suddenly insightful, Rüdiger wrote at X: “There is definitely no excuse for my behavior last night. I’m very sorry (…) Before the final whistle, I made a mistake. I apologize again with the referee and with everyone that I disappointed last night.”

Despite the “insight” afterwards, this behavior of a DFB vice captain is unworthy. TV expert Didi Hamann therefore called for consequences in the Sport1 “Double Pass”: “I believe that the DFB should suspend it. I would not invite him to the Nations League final tournament and omit it for the two games.” He is right with that. Especially since the German Football Association promotes respect for referees with initiatives and campaigns.

Rüdiger was more likely to be behavioral in the past: the defender recently received a fine of 40,000 euros for his head-to-head gesture towards the opponent fans. So far, the DFB has been covered with such dropouts because Rüdiger did not do it as a real Madrid player, not in the national dress. In international matches, on the other hand, the defender is hardly noticeable.

Other national players have already flew for less: Stefan Effenberg’s stinkefinger gesture is legendary towards the Germany fans at the 1994 World Cup in the USA, which followed the out of the national team. “With $ 10,000, we would have ridiculed ourselves in the income of the players,” said DFB President Egidius Braun, the drastic measure.

Would today’s President Bernd Neuendorf be just as consistent with a Rüdiger excavation in the DFB jersey? Questionable. Because Rüdiger is too important for the Nagelsmann team. His presence in central defense would currently not be compensated for. However, national coach Julian Nagelsmann always emphasizes how important it is to convey values ​​and take on responsibility – on and off the square.

There is already a first statement from circles from the national team. DFB sports director Rudi Völler criticized Antonio Rüdiger for his freak out in the Spanish cup final: “This is not possible. Especially not as a German national player. He has to change that, and he knows that himself, that shows his public reaction.”

If the German Football Association wants to remain credible, a verbal complaint is not enough. Players who behave in their club must also expect consequences in the national team. In the case of Rüdiger, there would now be the opportunity for the DFB to have deeds followed – and to represent their own values. Otherwise he loses his credibility.