Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger branded the referee’s decision to book him after an altercation with Everton winger Bernard ‘a joke.’
The German defender accused Bernard of headbutting him in the closing stages of the Blues’ 0-0 draw with Everton at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
Rudiger and Bernard clashed during the final minutes of the match, with both players eventually shown a yellow card.
Rudiger told the Evening Standard that he was far from happy with the decision, "It’s annoying because I don’t even tackle someone, do something and I get booked for being head-butted. Sorry but that’s a joke.
"He [Bernard] was diving and I told him to ‘stand up’. Then he came with a lot of speed and hit me with his forehead, so for me to get a yellow card — to me that’s a joke.
"The referee didn’t see anything. Perhaps it’s the fourth official who was outside [the pitch], maybe he said something to him [the referee] that I had provoked [the player] or something but I just said ‘stand up’."