Rudiger accuses Pachuca's player of racial abuse at Club World Cup

Real Madrid defender Antonio Rudiger claims that he was allegedly racially abused by Pachuca's captain Gustavo Cabral at the end of their FIFA Club World Cup fixture.

The 32-year-old German centre-back alerted referee Ramon Abatti following the alleged comment in stoppage time of Madrid's 3-1 victory in Charlotte. The ref subsequently performed FIFA's protocol gesture to signal alleged racist abuse.

Cabral, 39, however, denied making a racist comment.

Real Madrid boss Xabi Alonso said that an investigation into the incident was underway.

"Toni has told us something, the FIFA protocol is activated, and an investigation is underway," Alonso said during his post-match press conference. "We believe him. It is unacceptable."

On the other hand, Cabral denied all those accusations: "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 mierda' (a profanity used to call someone a coward), all the time I told him the same thing."

Rudiger and Cabral had tussled in the Pachuca penalty area, and the Madrid defender fell to the ground, holding his face.

The two players then verbally exchanged before referee Abatti approached the pair.

Abatti sent both players away, but Rudiger returned to speak to him, and Abatti subsequently performed an 'X' gesture with his arms. The signal is part of the protocol at FIFA tournaments, with world football's governing body stating it is "designed to empower players, team officials and referees to take a stand against racism".

Pachuca head coach Jaime Lozano told a press conference: "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.

"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."

FIFA CLUB WORLD CUP 2025

Matchday 3

Monday

22:00: (1.65) Atletico Madrid (3.70) Botafogo (5.60)

22:00: (17.0) Seattle (9.00) PSG (1.13)

Tuesday

04:00: (5.00) Inter Miami (2.50) Palmeiras (2.25)

04:00: (1.70) Porto (3.70) Al Ahly Cairo (5.10)

22:00: (50.0) Auckland (25.0) Boca Juniors (1.01)

22:00: (4.65) Benfica (3.20) Bayern (1.95)

Wednesday

04:00: (12.0) Esperance (5.40) Chelsea (1.28)

04:00: (4.90) Los Angeles (3.60) Flamengo (1.75)

22:00: (1.22) Dortmund (6.50) Ulsan (12.0)

22:00: (4.10) Mamelodi (3.50) Fluminense (1.90)

Thursday

04:00: (1.90) Inter Milan (3.45) River Plate (3.80)

04:00: (5.30) Urawa RD (3.60) Monterrey (1.70)

22:00: (4.40) Juventus (3.50) Man.City (1.85)

22:00: (2.55) Wydad Casablanca (3.35) Al Ain (2.75)

Friday

04:00: (1.48) Al Hilal (4.40) Pachuca (6.75)

04:00: (9.00) Salzburg (5.90) Real Madrid (1.30)

***odds are subject to change***