Antonio Rudiger received a red card while off the pitch during Real Madrid's 3-2 loss to Barcelona in the Copa del Rey final on Saturday.
The German center-back was seen shouting abuse at the officials and throwing an object towards the referee.
What happened?
Real Madrid missed out on the Copa del Rey trophy, losing 3-2 to Barcelona after extra time, with Jules Kounde scoring the winning goal in the 116th minute.
The late goal led to frustration on the sidelines, resulting in red cards for Lucas Vazquez and Antonio Rudiger.
Why it matters for Antonio Rudiger
Rudiger's actions may lead to a heavy sanction from the Royal Spanish Football Federation, potentially causing him to miss the rest of the season.
This would be a massive blow for Real Madrid, who are currently four points behind the top of the La Liga standings with five games left to play.
Antonio Rudiger took to Instagram to apologize for his behavior, stating "There's definitely no excuse for my behavior last night."
What comes next?
Rudiger will receive a one-game ban for his red card, but the punishment may not stop there, with El Partidazo de COPE reporting a potential heavy sanction.
Real Madrid will look to claw back the four-point deficit at the top of the La Liga standings in their final five games of the season.
The incident has sparked controversy, with some calling for stricter punishments for players who engage in abusive behavior towards officials.
Antonio Rudiger's apology has been seen as a positive step, but the consequences of his actions remain to be seen.
As the season enters its final stretch, Real Madrid will need to regroup and focus on their remaining fixtures to achieve their goals.
The Copa del Rey final loss was a tough pill to swallow, but the team will look to bounce back and secure a strong finish to the season.