Antonio Rudiger reported a racist incident during the closing moments of Real Madrid’s 3-1 victory over Pachuca at the Club World Cup. The defender clashed with Pachuca captain Gustavo Cabral after alleging he had been fouled, prompting him to speak with the referee.
In response, the referee activated FIFA’s anti-racism protocol by making the designated arm-crossing signal, indicating that the matter would be formally investigated.
Cabral denied using any racist language, claiming the altercation stemmed from a physical challenge and that he merely used a strong insult, calling Rudiger a “coward.” Tensions flared again at full-time as players from both sides exchanged words.
Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti’s assistant, Xabi Alonso, confirmed that Rudiger had made the team aware of the incident and expressed full support for the player. He emphasized that any form of racism is unacceptable in football and that appropriate action should follow if the claims are confirmed.
Pachuca’s coach, Jaime Lozano, said he was unaware of the incident until after the match but promised to speak with his captain to understand what occurred. He refrained from defending the player outright but stated that such behavior cannot be excused if proven true.
Rudiger has previously spoken out against racism in football, calling for stronger action and expressing frustration over the lack of real change. The recent incident has again placed FIFA’s anti-racism efforts under scrutiny, particularly after criticism regarding the visibility of such campaigns during the tournament.
