During the match between Real Madrid and Getafe, in the 25th minute, Rico went down after attempting to dribble past an opponent. After Rico hit the ground, Antonio Rüdiger made a movement where he kneed Rico in the head, yet Rüdiger received no card of any kind.
Former referee Iturralde González gave his view:“That is a red card. If you go for the ball and make contact, that is one thing. But Rüdiger went in with his knee and made contact. That is violent conduct, an act of aggression. This is something VAR should have reviewed.”
Journalist Mario Calderón wrote about Rüdiger’s action: Rüdiger should have been sent off with a straight red card, yet the referee did not even show him a yellow card.At that moment, with Rico on the ground, Rüdiger’s knee struck Rico’s face heavily. Rico immediately covered his face and appeared to be in severe pain. The incident sparked a minor scuffle between players of both sides, but the referee ultimately decided not to take any disciplinary action against Rüdiger.It is clear that Rüdiger escaped a deserved red card in this incident.
