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<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Rudiger, Mbappe mocked Atletico fans post-match</li><li>Real Madrid star hit with €40k UEFA fine</li><li>Defender says gesture was playful, not malicious</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table>

'I was just joking around' - Antonio Rudiger defends his and Kylian Mbappe's mocking of Atletico Madrid fans that landed Real Madrid defender a €40k fine

FIFA Club World Cup

Paris Saint-Germain

Atletico Madrid

Real Madrid

Al Hilal

<p>Rudiger has defended the controversial celebrations that led to a €40,000 UEFA fine and suspended ban after <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/real-madrid-banned-for-champions-league-clash-carlo-ancelotti-verdict-on-kylian-mbappe-vinicius-antonio-rudiger-dani-ceballos/blt1b0df700e5a5fd99#csf03c2ece868d6e3e" target="_blank">mocking Atletico Madrid fans alongside the French superstar Kylian Mbappe</a>. The Bernabeu defender called it harmless fun amid provocation from the stands.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>After Madrid’s Champions League round of 16 win over Los Rojiblancos, Rudiger along with teammates including Mbappe, ran in front of the home supporters laughing and lifting their knees in a provocative gesture. The defender’s animated reaction drew disciplinary action, as UEFA imposed a one-match European ban for <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-in/lists/real-madrid-banned-for-champions-league-clash-carlo-ancelotti-verdict-on-kylian-mbappe-vinicius-antonio-rudiger-dani-ceballos/blt1b0df700e5a5fd99#cs8e74d99fb4a08299" target="_blank">violating post-match conduct rules</a>. However, the ban is suspended for one year. This incident follows earlier sanctions, including a six-match domestic suspension for throwing tape at a referee during the Clasico final. The German centre-back’s fiery temperament continues to divide opinion.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>Rudiger defended the antics in an interview with Amazon Prime <em>(</em><a href="https://www.sport1.de/news/internationaler-fussball/la-liga/2025/06/provokante-geste-rudiger-verteidigt-sich" target="_blank"><em>via sport1</em></a><em>)</em>: “We played against Atletico and were booed. Insults and everything. We only went there because our fans were higher up. So I was just joking around, that's part of it.”</p>

WHAT RUDIGER SAID

<p>Real Madrid face Al-Hilal in the first game of their Club World Cup campaign later this month. </p>

WHAT NEXT FOR REAL MADRID?

'I was just joking around' - Antonio Rudiger defends his and Kylian Mbappe's mocking of Atletico Madrid fans that landed Real Madrid defender a €40k fine | Goal.com

Antonio Rudiger says mocking Atletico fans with Mbappe after UCL win was &quot;just joking around&quot; as UEFA slaps him with €40k fine and warning.

&apos;I was just joking around&apos; - Antonio Rudiger defends his and Kylian Mbappe&apos;s mocking of Atletico Madrid fans that landed Real Madrid defender a €40k fine

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