Antonio Rudiger, the stalwart defender of Real Madrid, has reported an incident of racial abuse following the triumphant conclusion of their Club World Cup match against Pachuca, a team from Mexico.
Rudiger found himself in a heated disagreement with Pachuca’s captain, Gustavo Cabral, during the injury time. The origin of their conflict stemmed from an alleged foul by the Argentine on the German defender.
Following the incident, Rudiger brought the matter to referee Ramon Abatti Abel’s attention. The referee’s response was to cross his arms over his chest, a gesture indicating the initiation of the anti-racism protocol.
Uncertainty still looms regarding the exact source of the alleged racial abuse, whether it came from the crowd or another player on the pitch.
FIFA’s framework for addressing racism includes a three-step process: initially, the match is halted, followed by a suspension, and ultimately, if the issue persists, the match is fully abandoned.
The match was concluded shortly after the incident, with Real Madrid emerging victorious with a score of 3-1. The tension between the players persisted even after the final whistle was blown.
In support of his player, Real’s manager Xabi Alonso stated, “We stand by what Rudiger reported. It is crucial to maintain absolute intolerance in such matters. FIFA is currently conducting an investigation. That’s all I can disclose at this time.”
In the previous year, while playing for Chelsea, Rudiger expressed his disappointment over the stagnant progress in anti-discrimination campaigns within football. However, he held his ground and vowed to continue his fight against racial abuse.
Just last week, FIFA faced criticism from campaigners who felt the organization had neglected to prominently display anti-racism messages during the Club World Cup.
