FIFA has officially concluded and closed its investigation into the allegations of racist abuse aimed at Real Madrid star defender Antonio Rudiger during the tense Club World Cup semi-final clash against Pachuca back in June.
The incident, which quickly drew international attention, reportedly occurred when Pachuca forward Gonzalo Cabral allegedly hurled racist words at Rudiger during Madrid’s 3-1 victory. The defender immediately raised concerns to the match officials, prompting the referee to halt the game momentarily in strict adherence to FIFA’s anti-racism matchday protocol.
Following this, the matter was escalated to FIFA’s disciplinary committee for a deeper and more thorough examination. The governing body carried out an extensive review process which included the analysis of referee reports and audio communications, consultation of match footage, as well as lip-reading assessments of the players’ interactions on the pitch. Every piece of available evidence was taken into account in order to reach a fair decision.
Despite the seriousness of the accusation, Mundo Deportivo reports that FIFA’s findings concluded with no conclusive proof to validate Rudiger’s claim. As a result, the case has been officially closed, with no disciplinary sanctions taken against Cabral or his club Pachuca.
While the ruling may come as a disappointment to some, FIFA emphasized the importance of due process and stressed that every case is reviewed with utmost diligence before any decision is made. The closure of this case means no further action will be pursued at this time.
Meanwhile, Rudiger is set to return to action for Real Madrid on the domestic stage. The German defender had been serving a six-game suspension that carried over from last season, which kept him out of Madrid’s opening La Liga victory against Osasuna. He is now cleared to make his much-anticipated comeback in Sunday’s away fixture against Real Oviedo, providing a significant boost to Carlo Ancelotti’s squad.
The 31-year-old defender, known for his resilience and commanding presence at the back, will look to put the controversy behind him as he focuses on helping Los Blancos continue their winning momentum in both domestic and international competitions.