Real Madrid manager, Xabi Alonso has disclosed that defender Antonio Rudiger complained of a racist incident during their Club World Cup win against Mexican side Pachuca.
Alonso confirmed a complaint had been made after an incident towards the end of the Spanish giants’ 3-1 victory in Charlotte.
Rudiger had clashed with Pachuca captain Gustavo Cabral in injury time but it was not clear if the alleged abuse came from a player or someone in the crowd.
The German defender spoke to referee Ramon Abatti Abel, who crossed his arms in front of his chest to signal that Fifa’s anti-racism protocol had been activated.
“That’s what Rudiger said, and we believe him,” Alonso told reporters in his post-match press conference. “It is important to have zero tolerance in these kinds of situations. FIFA now is investigating. That’s all I can say.”
The incident on the field saw the referee make the designated ‘No Racism Gesture’ by crossing his arms, indicating that an investigation would be carried out.
Under FIFA’s updated anti-racism procedures introduced in 2024, the crossed-arms gesture is the first step in a possible three-stage response to discriminatory behaviour.
