Alonso says Fifa investigating racial abuse against Rudiger

Antonio Rudiger, the Real Madrid defender, has alleged that he was the victim of racial abuse during the Club World Cup match against Pachuca. The incident occurred in the dying moments of the game when Rudiger clashed with Pachuca's captain, Gustavo Cabral, after claiming he had been fouled. Following the altercation, Rudiger approached the referee, Ramon Abatti Abel, who activated the anti-racism protocol by crossing his arms, indicating that the situation was serious enough to warrant further investigation. It remains unclear whether the racial abuse originated from a spectator in the crowd or from another player on the field. Following this contentious moment, Real Madrid secured a 3-1 victory over Pachuca, but tensions persisted as players continued to argue after the final whistle, highlighting the charged atmosphere surrounding the match.

Real Madrid's manager, Xabi Alonso, has publicly supported Rudiger's claims, emphasizing the need for zero tolerance regarding racist behavior in football. Alonso stated, "That's what Rudiger said, and we believe him," reinforcing the club's commitment to addressing such issues. FIFA has initiated an investigation into the allegations, which is part of a broader, ongoing conversation about racism in football. Rudiger, who previously spoke out against racial abuse during his time at Chelsea, pointed out the stagnation in effective responses to racism in the sport despite numerous anti-discrimination campaigns. His determination to continue fighting against racism remains steadfast, especially in light of recent criticisms directed at FIFA for seemingly sidelining anti-racism messaging during the Club World Cup. The outcome of the investigation and the broader implications for football's approach to racism will be closely monitored by players, fans, and advocacy groups alike.