FIFA Investigates Racial Abuse Allegations Against Rudiger in Club World Cup

FIFA has launched an investigation into allegations of racial abuse made by Real Madrid defender Antonio Rudiger against Pachuca’s Gustavo Cabral during their Club World Cup match. The incident occurred late in the game after Rudiger claimed he was subjected to a racial slur, leading the referee to activate FIFA's anti-racism protocol. Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso expressed full support for Rudiger, emphasizing zero tolerance for racism and confirming that FIFA is investigating the matter. Cabral has denied the accusations, stating the words used were part of a heated argument and not racially motivated. Pachuca’s coach Jaime Lozano also vouched for Cabral's character, promising to discuss the incident with him but expressing disbelief about the allegations. The match ended 3-1 in favor of Real Madrid, but the controversy has reignited discussions about racism in football and the effectiveness of existing protocols.