Overview

• In their Club World Cup match in Charlotte, Rudiger accused Pachuca captain Gustavo Cabral of directing a racist insult at him during stoppage time of Real Madrid’s 3-1 win.
• The incident unfolded after FIFA reversed its decision to drop anti-racism messaging at the tournament.
• Cabral denied using a racial slur and said he repeatedly called Rudiger a “f*cking coward” in a heated on-field exchange.
• Xabi Alonso backed Rudiger’s version and urged the governing body to carry out a thorough investigation into the alleged abuse.
• Pachuca coach Jaime Lozano vouched for Cabral’s character and said he had never encountered racist behavior from his captain.