FIFA investigating after Antonio Rudiger alleges racial abuse during Club World Cup
Antonio Rudiger came on as a late sub for Real Madrid in their Club World Cup win over Pachuca, but the game was marred after the German defender alleged he had been racially abused
FIFA have launched an investigation after Antonio Rudiger alleged he was racially abused during Real Madrid's Club World Cup win over Mexican side Pachua. Rudiger was brought on as a late substitute for Trent Alexander-Arnold at the Bank of America Stadium.
Madrid were already three goals up by the time the German came on. Los Blancos had to deal with the early dismissal of centre-back Raul Asencio, who saw red after just seven minutes.
But the 10 men still broke the deadlock 10 minutes before half-time through Jude Bellingham. Arda Guler then scored a second for Xabi Alonso's side, who had drawn their opening game.
Federico Valverde volleyed in a third with 20 minutes to go. Their Mexican oppenents did pull one goal back through Elias Montiel's deflected strike two minutes after Rudiger came on.
Then in injury time, Rudiger clashed with Pachuca captain Gustavo Cabral. After speaking to the players, referee Ramon Abatti crossed his arms in front of his chest, which signals the activation of FIFA's anti-racism protocol.
According to the Daily Mail, sources inside the stadium claim that Cabral is alleged to have aimed a vile racist insult at Rudiger. Cabral has strongly denied the accusation.
Rudiger was visibly incensed when he approached Abatti following a verbal exchange with Cabral. Madrid boss Alonso confirmed that Rudiger had made an allegation that he had been racially abused.
'That's what Rudiger said, and we believe him,' Alonso told reporters in his post-match press conference. 'It is important to have zero tolerance in these kinds of situations. FIFA now is investigating. That's all I can say.'
While the referee did not issue a card, his 'crossed arms' gesture was the first step in a possible 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. Cabral denied he used racist language, insisting he had instead called Rudiger a 'coward'.
He said: 'It was a fight, we collided, he said that I hit him with my hand and then there was an argument and the referee made the sign of racism. In Argentina we say 'cagon de mierd' (a profanity used to call someone a coward), all the time I told him the same thing.'
According to The Athletic, after being told of Cabral's explanation, Rudiger's camp reiterated his position. Pachuca head coach Jaime Lozano insisted none of his players stood for racial abuse.
'I only found out now that you are telling me, we haven't talked about it in the dressing room. I haven't spoken to Cabral about it, I couldn't give you any explanation or justification in that sense," Lozano said.
'Nothing justifies that, but I will talk to him but knowing him from before this has never happened with him, nor with any of these Pachuca players in our league. I tell you I can put my hands in the fire for my captain.'
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