Real Madrid Defender Antonio Rudiger Alleges Racist Abuse During Club World Cup Match
In a tense moment during the Club World Cup match on Sunday in Charlotte, Real Madrid defender Antonio Rudiger accused Pachuca’s Gustavo Cabral of making a racist remark towards him. This incident prompted the referee to invoke FIFA’s anti-discrimination protocol.
The alleged altercation took place during stoppage time of the Group H match, which Real Madrid ultimately won 3-1. A visibly upset Rudiger confronted Brazilian referee Ramon Abatti Abel after the verbal exchange with Cabral. Reports from the stadium indicate that Cabral allegedly used the Spanish racial slur "negro de mierda" against Rudiger.
However, Cabral has refuted these claims, asserting that he actually said "cagón de mierda," which translates to "f***ing coward." In response to the situation, the referee crossed his arms in front of his chest, signaling FIFA’s ‘No Racism Gesture’ and indicating that the matter would be investigated further.
While no cards were issued at the time, this gesture marks the initial step in FIFA’s three-stage anti-discrimination protocol, introduced in 2024. This protocol allows referees to pause the match if discriminatory behavior is identified. The following stages include the option to suspend or abandon the match if the behavior persists.
The incident occurred about five minutes into stoppage time, just before the match concluded amidst ongoing discussions among players following the final whistle.
Real Madrid’s manager, Xabi Alonso, publicly supported Rudiger after the match, confirming that the defender reported receiving a racist insult. "That’s what Rudiger said, and we believe him," Alonso stated to reporters. He emphasized the importance of zero tolerance towards such behavior and noted that FIFA is currently investigating the matter. Alonso labeled the alleged abuse as "unacceptable" and reinforced the club’s commitment to supporting their player.
FIFA has faced criticism from advocacy groups for reportedly not maintaining its ‘anti-racism’ messaging during the Club World Cup. According to The Athletic, a ‘no racism’ campaign was prepared but ultimately not utilized during the tournament.
This incident cast a shadow over Alonso’s first victory as Real Madrid’s manager, following a 1-1 draw in his debut against Al-Hilal. Despite being reduced to ten men just seven minutes into the match due to Raul Asencio’s red card for a foul on Salomon Rondon, Real Madrid managed to secure an important win in scorching 33-degree heat, with over 70,000 fans in attendance. Jude Bellingham opened the scoring in the 35th minute, followed by goals from Arda Güler and Federico Valverde, while Elias Montiel scored a late consolation goal for Pachuca. Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois was pivotal in the match, making 10 saves, including a crucial double save.
With this victory, Real Madrid is on track to secure qualification for the last 16, with a pivotal match against Red Bull Salzburg scheduled for Thursday in Philadelphia.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story and other sports news.
