Racial Incident Mars Real Victory

Coach Alonso backs Rudiger's account as Pachuca's Cabral claims he said 'coward'

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CHARLOTTE - Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso said his defender Antonio Rudiger had complained of a racist incident at the end of their 3-1 Club World Cup Group H win over Mexican side Pachuca on June 22.

Rudiger was visibly angered following an exchange of words with Pachuca's Gustavo Cabral after the final whistle and spoke to Brazilian referee Ramon Abatti Abel.

Cabral denied he had racially abused the German centre-back.

Asked about the incident in the post-match press conference, Alonso said: "Toni told us something, we support Toni and we will see what happens.

"I think the Fifa protocol has been activated to investigate. But if it has happened, all measures should be taken and we support Antonio because it's something unacceptable.

"In football there is no tolerance for this, and if it happened, then measures should be taken. This is what Antonio has told us and we believe him. It's being investigated now."

Cabral, 39, spoke after the game and said his words had been misinterpreted by Rudiger.

The Argentinian said he had called the defender a "coward", with the Spanish phrase he used similar to another which is linked to racist abuse.