Real Madrid have been slammed for their 'thuggish' Copa del Rey antics and accused of tarnishing football's image.

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• Ex-Barcelona star accuses Madrid
• Barca beat Madrid to win Copa del Rey
• Rudiger one of three players sent off

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  Barcelona picked up their third consecutive El Clasico win in the 2024-25 campaign as they came from behind to edge out arch-rivals Real Madrid 3-2 to win the Copa del Rey title last Saturday in Seville.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The highly-anticipated Clasico in the cup final turned violent towards the end of the match as Los Blancos defender Antonio Rudiger was sent off after he protested a decision right at the end of the game. Such was his rage, the Germany international attempted to throw ice at the referee and had to be forcibly restrained by his team-mates in the dugout. Real Madrid also caused controversy ahead of the game by criticising match referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea and calling for him to be replaced.

• WHAT CHRISTOPHE DUGARRY SAID

  Former Barcelona and France forward Dugarry was furious after watching Madrid players' behaviour on and off the pitch as he told : "It's an absolute disgrace. I was shocked by the pressure, the slander, the bad faith. What the management did before the match was borderline thuggish. They knowingly tarnished and trampled on the image of football. Real Madrid has hit rock bottom."

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  WHAT NEXT FOR REAL MADRID?

  The reigning Spanish champions will be back in action in La Liga on Sunday as they take on Celta Vigo at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Tags: Futebol
Category: News