Antonio Rudiger Accuses Opponent of Racial Abuse During Club World Cup Match

In a heated encounter during the FIFA Club World Cup, Real Madrid defender Antonio Rudiger alleged that Pachuca’s Gustavo Cabral racially insulted him. The incident took place in stoppage time of Sunday’s match in Charlotte, which Madrid won 3-1.

After a verbal exchange with Cabral, Rudiger approached the referee, Brazilian official Ramon Abatti Abel, visibly upset. Witnesses inside the stadium reported that Cabral reportedly called Rudiger a racist slur, which translates to a highly offensive insult in Spanish.

Cabral later denied using a racial epithet, claiming he referred to Rudiger as a “f***ing coward.” The referee did not issue a card but performed FIFA’s “No Racism” gesture—crossing his arms—indicating the situation would be reviewed.

This gesture is part of FIFA’s updated anti-discrimination protocols introduced in 2024, which involve a three-stage response to racist incidents, beginning with a warning and potentially escalating to match suspension or abandonment if the misconduct continues.

Madrid’s manager, Xabi Alonso, confirmed Rudiger’s report of the racist insult and stated that the club fully supports the player, emphasizing that such behavior is unacceptable.

The match saw Madrid play with ten men after a red card in the early stages, but they managed to secure their victory through goals by Jude Bellingham, Arda Guler, and Federico Valverde. Despite being outshot significantly, Madrid’s clinical finishing was decisive.

Throughout the game, the referee performed the “No Racism” gesture, suggesting that a formal investigation was underway. Madrid now advance to the knockout stages and are set to face Red Bull Salzburg in their next match.