Gustavo Cabral Explains His Words to Antonio Rudiger After Racial Accusation

Gustavo Cabral of Pachuca has clarified what he actually said to Antonio Rudiger following the Real Madrid player’s claim of being racially insulted during a recent match.

The incident took place during stoppage time in Sunday’s match in Charlotte, where Rudiger, visibly upset, confronted the referee after exchanging words with Cabral.

Witnesses suggest that Cabral used a Spanish insult, calling Rudiger “negro de mierda,” which translates to a highly offensive racial slur. However, Cabral countered that he used a different phrase, claiming he called Rudiger a “cagon de mierda,” meaning “f***ing coward” in Argentine slang.

“There was no racist comment. I called him a f***ing coward, as we say in Argentina. That’s all,” Cabral stated. He described a scuffle that involved a kick and a heated argument, emphasizing that no racial language was used.

During the incident, the referee signaled a ‘No Racism’ gesture by crossing his arms, indicating that an investigation was underway. According to FIFA’s updated anti-racism protocols introduced in 2024, this gesture triggers a three-stage response, starting with alerting officials and potentially stopping the match if necessary.

Referee Ramon Abatti Abel later performed the ‘No Racism’ gesture, signaling that an inquiry was in process. Rudiger reported being insulted, and the club confirmed their support for him, condemning any discrimination.

Despite the controversy, Real Madrid secured their first win of the tournament with goals from Jude Bellingham, Arda Guler, and Federico Valverde, winning 3-1 despite an early red card for Raul Asencio. The victory positions Madrid well in their group, with ambitions to top the table in the final match against RB Salzburg.