Antonio Rudiger has accused Pachuca defender Gustavo Cabral of racially abusing him during Real Madrid’s heated 3-1 win at the FIFA Club World Cup, prompting the referee to activate FIFA’s anti-discrimination protocol.
The alleged incident occurred in stoppage time of Sunday’s Group H clash in Charlotte, where a visibly incensed Rudiger approached Brazilian referee Ramon Abatti Abel following a verbal exchange with Cabral.
Sources inside the stadium claim that Cabral is alleged to have called Rudiger a ‘negro de mierda’ — a Spanish insult that translates as ‘f***ing n*****’.
However, Cabral disputed this after the game by stating he had called Rudiger a ‘cagon de mierda’ — meaning ‘f***ing coward’.
While the referee did not issue a card, he was soon seen crossing his arms, making FIFA’s designated ‘No Racism Gesture’, suggesting the matter will be subject to further review.
Under FIFA’s updated anti-racism procedures introduced in 2024, the crossed-arms gesture is the first step in a three-stage response to discriminatory behaviour.
Step one alerts officials and competition authorities to the alleged incident and gives the referee the option to stop the match.
Steps two and three, which involve suspending or abandoning the match, are only triggered if the situation escalates or continues.
Speaking after the game, Madrid manager Xabi Alonso confirmed Rudiger had reported a racist insult and said the club fully supported the player.
‘Racist insult against Rudiger? That’s what Rudiger said, and we believe him,’ Alonso told reporters. ‘Now FIFA is investigating. It’s unacceptable.’
The incident overshadowed a significant result for Alonso, marking his first victory since taking charge of Real Madrid following a 1-1 draw in his opening game against Al-Hilal.
Madrid were made to work hard in sweltering 33C heat in front of more than 70,000 fans, and did so with 10 men for most of the match after Raul Asencio was sent off just seven minutes in for fouling Salomon Rondon as the striker raced through on goal.
Despite being outshot 25 to eight, Real were far more clinical that their Mexican opponents.
Jude Bellingham opened the scoring with a composed finish after latching onto a through ball, before Arda Guler and Federico Valverde added second-half goals.
Elias Montiel pulled one back for Pachuca late on with a deflected effort, but the damage had already been done.
Thibaut Courtois was instrumental in preserving Madrid’s lead, making 10 saves including a vital double stop from Rondon and Alan Bautista, as well as denying Carlos Sanchez a late second.
Madrid will qualify for the last 16 if they beat Red Bull Salzburg on Friday, when they are expected to welcome back Kylian Mbappe following a brief bout of gastroenteritis.
Pachuca, who are already eliminated, will play Al-Hilal in their final group match.
