Xabi Alonso said that FIFA has launched an investigation into the racial abuse experienced by Real Madrid defender Antonio Rüdiger.
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Rüdiger victim of racial abuse
The said incident happened Real Madrid’s 3-1 win over Pachuca in the Club World Cup on Sunday.
Referee Ramon Abatti crossed his forearms in front of his chest five minutes into stoppage time, signaling the activation of the anti-racism protocol.
The gesture came after a brief scuffle broke out following a foul on the 32-year-old.
The Real Madrid manager believes Rüdiger was a victim of racial abuse and said that FIFA is now investigating.
“That’s what Rüdiger said, and we believe him,” Alonso said
“It is important to have zero tolerance in these kinds of situations. FIFA now is investigating. That’s all I can say.”
“There was nothing racist”
It was not immediately clear whether the alleged abuse came from the crowd or an opponent.
Pachuca defender Gustavo Cabral, who Rüdiger clashed with before he spoke to the referee, has denied that he racially abused the German international.
“There was nothing racist. I called him ‘chickens—‘ as we say in Argentina, that’s it,” Cabral told reporters in Spanish after the game.
FIFA was unable to immediately clarify the incident when contacted by Reuters, as it was still waiting for the referee’s report.
