FIFA has formally launched disciplinary proceedings against Pachuca defender Gustavo Cabral after an incident involving Real Madrid’s Antonio Rudiger rattled the closing moments of their Club World Cup clash on Sunday, June 22, in Charlotte.
Racial-Allegations Trigger FIFA Disciplinary Action Against Pachuca Defender
The response by match official Ramon Abatti—crossing his forearms to activate the anti-discrimination protocol—marked a rare and serious intervention in such a high-profile fixture.
According to FIFA’s statement to Reuters, “Following an assessment of the match reports, the FIFA Disciplinary Committee has opened proceedings against CF Pachuca player Gustavo Cabral in relation to the incident involving him and Real Madrid’s Antonio Rudiger during the FIFA Club World Cup game played in Charlotte on June 22.”
The tension boiled over just five minutes into stoppage time when a brief altercation followed an apparent foul on Rudiger.
Referee Abatti then triggered the anti-discrimination protocol—an unusual but unmistakable move.
At a subsequent press conference, Real Madrid head coach Xabi Alonso made clear his support for his player, stating: “That’s what Rüdiger said, and we believe him,” underscoring the team’s firm stance on zero tolerance for racism.
Cabral, however, has strongly denied any racist intent. He explained to reporters in Spanish: “There was nothing racist. I called him ‘chicken‑s—’, as we say in Argentina, that’s it.”
In interviews reported by other outlets, he reiterated that he had only labeled Rudiger a “coward,” a word lost in translation and misinterpreted as something more sinister.
FIFA has not yet outlined what sanctions might be on the table. The disciplinary committee’s investigation will delve into match reports, referee statements, and additional evidence.
Real Madrid, meanwhile, remains steadfast in its position, echoing Alonso’s belief that serious action must be taken if the allegations are validated.
This case highlights FIFA’s ongoing efforts to stamp out racism in football. The swift use of the anti-discrimination protocol demonstrates growing intolerance for such behavior on the pitch.
Whether Cabral’s words fall within FIFA’s definition of racial abuse or simply constitute unsavory banter could have far-reaching implications—not just for the player, but as a precedent in the global battle against racism in sport.
