Kroos defends Rudiger: 'He himself knows it was probably a series of mistakes'
The reckless act committed by Antonio Rudiger at the end of the Copa del Rey final between Barcelona and Real Madrid could cost the German defender dearly. For days in Spain (at least before the power outage that crippled the entire country…), this has been the main topic of discussion, and footage of Rudiger throwing an ice pack at the referee has been shown repeatedly on TV. However, a voice in defense of the former Roma player has emerged — that of his friend and former club and national teammate.
Interviewed during a program on the Icon League, Toni Kroos tried to defend Rudiger:
"I wrote to him after the match, and he himself knows it was probably a series of mistakes. We must be aware that many don't really know what actually happens.
"It was a Clasico, a cup final, he fought like a lion, he has been struggling with a knee problem for weeks, and there are many issues. But now he will receive a sanction and that’s it. We shouldn't act as if he killed someone. We must avoid blindly following the wave of collective outrage."
Kroos also took a general jab at some of Rudiger’s harshest critics, without naming anyone: "Now people are coming out from everywhere demanding Toni’s exclusion from the national team. Even people who, back in the day, would have deserved suspensions themselves."
