Is a coward racist? Another captain, Rudiger, launches referee X protocol...No Alonso for the first win → FIFA fact-finding investigation
Jun 23, 2025
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Controversy continues over the claim that Antonio Rudiger (Real Madrid) suffered racial discrimination during the game. Real Madrid won 3-1 in the second Group H match of the FIFA Club World Cup against Pachuca at Bank of America in Charlotte, North Carolina on the 23rd (Korea time).
Marco Asensio showed off Real Madrid's power despite the numerical inferiority of being sent off seven minutes into the game. won a clean sweep of the 10-11 fight. However, there was an extreme confrontation at the end of the game.
Rudiger was replaced by Trent Alexander-Arnold in the 33rd minute of the second half. He was out of power in April due to a knee injury, and made his return for the first time in two months.
Rudiger, however, argued before the end of the match that he had been racist by referee Ramon Abati during a bitter dispute with Cabral over the foul. Referee Abati immediately started the racist protocol by drawing the letter 'X'. The first step in the protocol is to pause the game. In the second stage, measures such as suspension of the game and confiscation loss in the third stage can be taken.
Cabral, however, denied making any racist remarks, claiming that he called Rudiger a "coward". The game resumed and ended with a complete victory for Real Madrid. The players of both teams argued after the game.
Coach Xavi Alonso, who reported his first win after taking the helm of Real Madrid, actively defended Rudiger. He said "Rudiger told us something. We'll see. As the protocol has begun, FIFA will investigate the incident. We support him." And "This is not acceptable. Rudiger said so, and we believe in him."
Cabral has completely denied allegations of racism. He explained "Rudiger said I hit him with my hands, and then there was an argument and the referee made a racist sign, but I kept saying the same thing to him"
Manager Hymerosano Pachuca said "I have never spoken to Cabral on this issue. That's why I can't give you an explanation." Racism can't be justified. I've known him for quite a while, but I've never heard of that happening with the Pachuca players."
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
