Overview

• FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee launched proceedings against CF Pachuca defender Gustavo Cabral based on match reports from the Club World Cup game in Charlotte on June 22.
• Antonio Rudiger reported the alleged slur to referee Ramon Abatti Abel after an on-field exchange and appeared visibly angered by the incident.
• Gustavo Cabral denies using a racist term and says his Spanish phrase meaning “coward” was misinterpreted as an ethnic slur.
• Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso backed Rudiger’s account and said measures should follow if the allegation is confirmed.
• FIFA activated its anti-racism protocol immediately and its committee’s findings could lead to disciplinary sanctions against Cabral.