FIFA Investigates Cabral (Pachuca) for Alleged Racism Towards Rüdiger (Real Madrid)

FIFA Opens Disciplinary Investigation Against Gustavo Cabral for Incident with Rüdiger

FIFA has announced the opening of disciplinary proceedings against Pachuca player Gustavo Cabral, following an incident with Real Madrid defender Antonio Rüdiger during the Club World Cup match. The incident, which occurred last Sunday, triggered the anti-discrimination protocol. According to a FIFA statement, after analyzing the match reports, the Disciplinary Committee has initiated proceedings against Cabral in relation to the incident with Rüdiger, during the match played in Charlotte on June 22. The match referee, Ramon Abatti, activated the anti-discrimination protocol by crossing his forearms in front of his chest in the fifth minute of added time, after a brief altercation following an apparent foul on Rüdiger, a German international.

Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso was asked in a post-match press conference whether Rüdiger had been the victim of racism. Alonso replied: “That’s what Rüdiger said, and we believe him.” The FIFA did not specify the nature of the disciplinary action to be taken.

There was nothing racist. I called him ‘cagón’ as we say in Argentina, that’s all.

Gustavo Cabral

Cabral denied having uttered racist insults against the Real Madrid defender.