Real Madrid head coach Xabi Alonso has firmly defended his player Antonio Rüdiger after the German defender claimed he was the target of racist abuse during the match against Pachuca in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. The alleged aggressor is Gustavo Cabral, the Argentine center-back for the Mexican side.

What Happened Between Gustavo Cabral and Antonio Rüdiger?

The incident took place at Bank of America Stadium when, following a late-game foul, Cabral allegedly directed a racist slur at Rüdiger. Witnesses and media reports indicate that the term used was “monkey.” FIFA immediately activated its anti-racism protocol, resulting in a brief suspension of play.

Notably, no public announcement was made through the stadium PA system or video boards, which left many fans in the dark about what had transpired.

Xabi Alonso Demands Action and Stands by His Player

In the post-match press conference, Xabi Alonso expressed unwavering support for Rüdiger and called for a thorough investigation by FIFA.

“We support Toni. Now the FIFA protocol will be activated and an investigation will take place. If it happened, we support Antonio. This is unacceptable. There is zero tolerance for this,” Alonso stated.

The Real Madrid manager emphasized that the club is treating the situation with the seriousness it deserves:

“Toni said it happened, and we believe him,” Alonso added.

FIFA Opens Official Investigation

FIFA has confirmed that it will conduct a formal investigation to clarify the incident. Although no deadline has been set, if Cabral is found guilty, he could face sporting sanctions or other disciplinary actions.

The football world now awaits a fair and firm verdict. Should a racist act be confirmed, it is expected that a strong punishment will be imposed to help eradicate such behavior from the sport. Conversely, if no wrongdoing is proven, the situation should still be handled transparently to protect the reputations of all involved.

All eyes are now on FIFA as the global football community awaits its ruling.