The global governing body of football, FIFA, has established a comprehensive three-step protocol to address incidents of racism during matches: first, by stopping the game; next, suspending it if the situation persists; and finally, abandoning the match if the issue continues unresolved.
After the recent match, Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso revealed that player Antonio Rudiger reported a racially charged incident. Alonso emphasized the zero-tolerance policy in football, saying, “If this occurred, appropriate actions need to be taken. We trust Antonio’s account, and an investigation is underway.”
Meanwhile, competitor Cabral recounted the altercation, stating it was a physical confrontation. He claimed there was a misunderstanding involving a hand gesture that escalated into a dispute. He insisted he had been consistently communicating this to the referee, who then signaled for racism intervention.
Previously, in 2021, while playing for Chelsea, Rudiger expressed frustration, remarking, “Nothing truly changes” despite the ongoing anti-discrimination initiatives within football. He affirmed his commitment to continue opposing racial abuse.
Recently, critics have expressed disappointment towards FIFA for appearing to backtrack on anti-racism efforts at the Club World Cup held in the USA, highlighting the ongoing battle against discrimination in the sport.