Article by Aurelian Botezatu – published Monday, June 23, 2025, 07:44 / Updated Monday, June 23, 2025 07:45
Real Madrid's defender, Antonio Rudiger, claims that Pachuca's leader, Gustavo Cabral, addressed the racist insults, but this reply: “Did I do it. Is it racism?”.
In the 78th minute of the Real Madrid – Pachuca (3-1) match, Antonio Rudiger took Trent Alexander Arnold. The first appearance of the German defender after two months of inactivity, following a knee injury, ended with a monster scandal.
Following a controversial phase, Rudiger reported to the “power station” Ramon Abatti that he was insulted by Pachuca's captain, Gustavo Cabral. Respecting the FIFA protocol, the Brazilian referee crossed his arms in the wrists and temporarily suspended the match, which was resumed a few minutes later.
Gustavo Cabral: “I called him a jogos. Is it racism?”
The tensions between Rudiger and Cabral continued after the final whistle. And in the mixed area, in front of the cameras, the captain of the Mexicans revealed what shouted to the defender from Real Madrid: “I called him a jogos. Is it racism?”.
🔥Sese Tienen Que Llevar a rüdiger! Hasta Xabi Alonso Saltó A por El Futbolist pulled El Encuentro against Pachuca #cwc 📲 @jdelriomuradas pic.twitter.com/iuklabsafp
– brand (@marca) June 22, 2025
Real Madrid's coach, Xabi Alonso, made numerous efforts to quench Rudiger, after the final whistle, and at the press conference he spoke about him about the incident. “Antonio told us everything, and the protocol will be activated. Is investigated.
Xabi Alonso: “The team supports Antonio Rudiger, we are all on his side”
Antonio confirmed us in the locker room, and these are things that should not happen in a match like this, nowhere. The team supports him, we are all on his side, ”said Xabi. From FIFA there was no official position on the incident, but possible sanctions are expected in the coming days.
The gesture of crossing the arms is defined by the world forum: “Players can directly indicate that they are subjected to racist insults. The referee will then activate a three -level procedure for such incidents.”
The three -level anti -ray protocol instituted by FIFA
If the racist incident is caused by the public, the referees must signal in this way to initiate the three -level protocol:
Level 1: Interrupting the match: An announcement will be made at the amplification station to inform the public about the reasons for the interruption and to warn that, if the behavior does not cease, the match will be temporarily suspended.
Level 2: Temporary suspension of the match: If the behavior persists after the game resumes, the referee will temporarily suspend the match and order the teams to return to the locker room. An announcement will be made on the stadium to inform about the reasons for the interruption and to warn that, if the behavior does not cease, the match will be permanently suspended.
Level 3: The final suspension of the match: If the behavior persists after the game resumes, the referee will permanently suspend the match. He will take this measure only after consulting relevant authorities and experts and if he considers it to be sure to do so.
