Real Madrid’s Rudiger Reports Racist Incident Against Pachuca Player, Says Xabi Alonso

‎Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso mentioned that defender Antonio Rudiger had reported a racist incident after Sunday’s 3-1 Club World Cup victory against Mexican team Pachuca.

Rudiger appeared visibly upset after a heated exchange with Pachuca’s Gustavo Cabral following the match and subsequently addressed the Brazilian referee Ramon Abatti Abel.

‎Cabral denied he had racially abused the German centre-back.

‎Asked about the incident in the post-match press conference, Alonso said, “Toni told us something, we support Toni and we will see what happens.

‎”I think the FIFA protocol has been activated to investigate, but if it has happened, all measures should be taken and we support Antonio because it’s something unacceptable.

‎”In football, there is no tolerance for this, and if it happened, then measures should be taken. This is what Antonio has told us and we believe him. It’s being investigated now,” he said.

‎After the game, Cabral stated that his words had been misunderstood by Rudiger.

The Argentine player said he called the defender a “coward,” but the Spanish phrase he used was similar to another expression associated with racist abuse.

‎”The referee made the racism sign but I was telling him the same thing the whole time (coward),” said Cabral.

‎Pachuca coach Jaime Lozano was also asked about the incident but said he was unaware of what had happened.

‎”I just found out from you, you are letting me know, we did not talk about it in the dressing room, I haven’t spoken to Cabral about this, I cannot give you an explanation about it because this is the first (I have heard of) this news,” he said.

‎”It cannot be justified at all, but I will talk to him. I’ve known him for a little while, and I have never heard of something like that with Pachuca players. I cannot defend my captain at any cost but I will talk about it with him,” he said.

‎FIFA did not immediately respond to a request for comment.