Madrid coach Alonso says Rudiger complained of racist insult in Club World Cup win
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.
Advertisement
'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,' he said.
Cabral, 39, spoke after the game and said his words had been misinterpreted by Rudiger.
The Argentine said he had called the defender a 'coward', with the Spanish phrase he used similar to another which is linked to racist abuse.
'The referee made the racism sign but I was telling him the same thing the whole time — (coward),' said Cabral.
Pachuca coach Jaime Lozano was also asked about the incident but said he was unaware of what had happened.
'I just found out from you, you are letting me know, we did not talk about it in the dressing room, I haven't spoken to Cabral about this, I cannot give you an explanation about it because this is the first (I have heard of) this news,' he said.
'It cannot be justified at all but I will talk to him, I've known him for a little while and and I have never heard of something like that with Pachuca players. I cannot defend my captain at any cost but I will talk about it with him,' he said.
Fifa did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
– © AFP 2025
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Extra.ie
an hour ago
- Extra.ie
Fundraiser set up to 'bring home' man fatally hit by truck in Dublin
A pedestrian was killed in Dublin last Friday morning after being tragically hit by a truck while on his way to work. Romulo Cerasuolo was pronounced dead at the scene after the fatal incident occurred on Ballyboden Way at around 8.30am. No other injuries were reported in the collision. The 34-year-old native of Brazil moved to Dublin in 'search of a better life' and was working as a cleaner. Romulo Cerasuolo was tragically hit by a truck on Friday morning. Pic: GoFundMe His body was removed for a post-mortem examination and Gardai carried out a technical examination of the scene while the road was closed. The Brazilian community in Dublin are pleading for people to help Romulo's family pay for the 'transfer of his body to his homeland'. A GoFundMe page has been set up to help cover the repatriation costs and over €12,000 has been raised so far. The fatal incident occurred on Ballyboden Way at around 8.30am. Pic: Damien Storan/Shutterstock It reads: 'Romulo was hit by a lorry on Ballyboden Way, Dublin 16, and sadly died on the spot. 'The news shocked the entire community, especially those who lived with him and knew his dedication, discretion and generous heart. No other injuries were reported in the collision. Pic: Artur Widak/NurPhoto via Getty Images 'Romulo came to Ireland in search of a better life, like so many of us. 'He worked hard, lived simply and always remained firm in his commitment to his family in Brazil, who are now facing not only the immense pain of his loss, but also the difficulty of paying for the transfer of his body to his homeland.' The community set up the fundraiser with the goal of bringing Romulo's body home so he can 'have a dignified burial, surrounded by the love of those who saw him born'. They added: 'The amount needed for the transfer is high – so every donation, no matter how small, will make a big difference.' Those who are unable to help financially are encouraged to share the campaign so it reaches as many people as possible. Gardai have asked anyone who may have witnessed the collision or who may have relevant footage of the area at the time to come forward. A Garda spokesperson stated: 'Any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) and were travelling in the area between 8am and 9am this (Friday) morning are asked to make this footage available to investigating Gardai. 'Anyone with information is asked to contact Rathfarnham Garda Station on 01 666 6500, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.'


The Irish Sun
2 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Granit Xhaka in talks over shock Sunderland transfer as fans predict when ex-Arsenal star will get first red card
GRANIT XHAKA could be set for a shock £10million return to the Premier League. Leverkusen's 32-year-old former Arsenal star is wanted by newly-promoted Sunderland to spearhead their survival fight. Advertisement 6 Granit Xhaka has become a fan hero at Leverkusen, making 99 appearances already Credit: Getty 6 Sunderland need Premier League experience in their ranks Credit: Alamy And the Black Cats are willing to offer the Swiss international midfielder a three-year contract to lure him to the Stadium of Light. Xhaka still has three years left on his deal with the German giants but could be allowed to leave this summer. Sunderland have already splashed out £110m on six new recruits as they prepare for life back in the Prem. And the vastly-experienced Xhaka fits the profile of player that boss Regis Le Bris hopes to bring him to help lead his young squad. Advertisement Read more Though the North East club are facing stiff competition from Saudi Arabia to pull-off the ambitious swoop. Xhaka spent seven years at Arsenal after signing from Borussia Monchengladbach in 2016. He went on to lift the FA Cup twice and made almost 300 appearances for the Gunners. The star left for Leverkusen in 2023 and was instrumental in their incredible Bundesliga and German Cup successes that season. Advertisement Most read in Football BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK He made a further 49 matches last term as they finished second to Bayern Munich. Fans on social media were quick to react to the news - and it's clear a lot of them haven't forgotten about Xhaka's fiery nature. Former Arsenal star Granit Xhaka in heated confrontation with Bayer Leverkusen ultras after humiliating defeat 6 Advertisement The Switzerland captain was One fan wrote: 'Hands down he gets a red in the first match vs Newcastle.' Bitter enemies Newcastle and Sunderland haven't played each other in the league since 2016, but every clash between the North East giants guarantees drama. Advertisement They did play against each other in the FA Cup third round in 2024, with Newcastle winning 3-0 at the Stadium of Light - and it was clear both clubs were ready to reignite the rivalry. 6 And a replacement for Jobe Bellingham Credit: Getty 6 Fans think he'll be a perfect fit for the Tyne-Wear derby Credit: Reuters The Tyne and Wear derby will resume on December 13 at Sunderland, with the reverse fixture set for March 21. Advertisement Sunderland summer to Borussia Dortmund , and will no doubt be looking to reinstill that star quality in the squad. Xhaka will also offer the Premier League experience their young squad needs. The 32-year-old made 297 appearances for Arsenal, scoring 23 goals and assisting 29. Meanwhile, Sunderland are also targeting a move for Bologna's Colombian international defender Jhon Lucumi. Advertisement The 27-year-old, who has a £24m release clause but Roma are also weighing up a potential offer. 6


The Irish Sun
3 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Mum of missing Brit receives chilling mystery messages year after he vanished on Sardinia trip with woman he met online
THE DISTRAUGHT mum of a Brit who disappeared while camping with his girlfriend in Sardinia has been sent chilling messages saying: "I tried to believe it was an accident." Michael Frison, 26, Advertisement 11 Michael was reported missing in Sardinia Credit: Facebook 11 An image of Michael's abandoned belongings have surfaced just over a year after he vanished Credit: The Sun 11 He vanished on 13 July 2024, just the day after he arrived on the Mediterranean island Credit: Facebook/@Cristina Pittalis 11 Niomi Orlandini and Michael met online and she later joined him in Sardinia Credit: The Sun 11 The The cryptic messages 'reference guilt, fear, and the inability to remain silent.' They read: 'You cannot live a lie without it finding you eventually. Advertisement read more news 'I've seen it in nightmares. 'This isn't about blame, it's about the silence that eats away. 'I tried to forget. I tried to believe it was an accident. But the fear… it doesn't go.' Cristina previously told The Sun that she can 'relate' to Jay Slater's mum Debbie Duncan - and blames local Italian police for failing to investigate properly. Advertisement Most read in The Sun Exclusive Exclusive She said: 'I can't even imagine how Jay Slater's mum would have felt when her son went missing and she couldn't communicate in Spanish. 'I can communicate with the police and they have been useless.' Tragic last vid shows tourist, 26, smiling next to pal at summit before deadly plunge in active volcano crater Cristine explained that her son Michael had flown from Bristol Airport to Olbia on July 2 last year, before driving to his grandparents home in Sassari to celebrate his 25th birthday and his grandma's 70th. Niomi, 27, asked to join him on the trip and he cancelled his return flight to the UK in order to stay with her for an additional week. Advertisement According to his mum, the pair left Michael's grandparents home on July 12, and went to volunteer on a farm in the Gallura hinterland, where they would work in exchange for food and accommodation. Mum-of-two Cristine says the trip from her parents' place to the site they stayed at was a '70 mile journey', and the area was surrounded by 'rugged terrain and deep vegetation'. The pair arrived on an area of land, owned by a German couple, on the same day they left, with Michael and Niomi staying in a tent about '100 metres away' from the couple, who were in a campervan. Cristine said that was the last day she heard from him: 'He texted me saying he was going to sleep and that he'd call me tomorrow. He ended it with a heart emoji.' Advertisement A snap taken from the scene shows clothing and a water bottle in the area where they camped. Heartbroken mum Cristina has grown increasingly frustrated over the Italian authorities' reluctance to share key information about Michael's disappearance with British cops. 11 The search for Michael was called off after just two weeks Credit: Unpixs 11 Michael had been in Sardinia celebrating his birthday with his Italian grandparents Credit: Jonathan Kanengoni Advertisement 11 Mum Cristina has launched a campaign to find her son Credit: Jonathan Kanengoni The Foreign Office has stated it cannot intervene in the investigation unless Italy formally requests their assistance. Italian police have yet to locate or question Niomi, believed to be the last person to see Michael alive. She has not co-operated with the authorities or his family, and is thought to have moved to Thailand where her mother is from. Advertisement Cristina explained that police in Britain advised her to tell the Italian authorities to seize Niomi's passport, which they did not do, and that they got offended when she tried to tell them how to do their jobs. The crucial passport error may have allowed Niomi to vanish with a raft of questions left unanswered. She added that she has also not been given a family liaison officer, and claims Italian police have kept her in the dark. The worried mother additionally raised her concerns about Niomi, saying she has not spoken to her sisters since she left, though they keep telling her that she is a 'lovely girl'. Advertisement Efforts to track down Niomi's family in Jersey have failed. Cristina said: 'I'm not looking for a culprit, I'm looking for my son - I'm not accusing her of anything. 'But the fact she is not responding is quite mysterious and very strange.' The mum added: "Human beings do not disappear from the face of earth without leaving traces unless something extremely bad happened to them.' Advertisement The mother has been left questioning why Niomi would not respond to her appeals for help or check in for an update on the search. 11 A local investigation into his whereabouts is ongoing Credit: Facebook/@Cristina Pittalis 11 Cristina previously told The Sun that she can 'relate' to Jay Slater's mum Credit: Facebook/@Cristina Pittalis 11 Michael went missing on 13 July last year in Sardinia Credit: Jonathan Kanengoni Advertisement Cristina, who lost her husband seven years ago and is now juggling the search for Michael with looking after her youngest son, 11, said she's going through an 'unimaginable mix of emotions'. She said: 'It's destroyed our lives. 'Not knowing where Michael is and what happened is unbearable. 'Feeling the worst and holding onto hope for the best - it's an overwhelming sense of helplessness.' Advertisement She says she feels 'drained' by the emotional and physical toll of his disappearance, and vowed: 'I am determined to find him, even in my grief I will not stop fighting for him. In her desperate efforts, Cristina has 'given up everything', abandoning her promising career in social work in order to dedicate her time to finding Michael and downsizing her home. She said: 'I am leaving the house because I can't afford to live here and balance going between here and Italy.' Cristina added that her second son is home educated and has developed separation anxiety. Advertisement She praised Michael as 'such a kind and truly special soul'. She said: 'He feels so deeply not just for himself but for others - he notices when someone is struggling. 'He offers a kind word and a helping hand. "It's a never-ending nightmare. Advertisement "There's no real accountability... I am here and I am broken." A GoFundMe campaign launched by Michael's pals in the UK has now reached £10,000 in the effort to help find the missing Brit. Michael's mum living through 'never-ending nightmare' By THE mother of a Brit man who went missing in Sardinia a year ago has said she's been "broken" since his disappearance. Michael's mother Cristina Pittalis has told Sky News of her anguish over what happened to him. "I'm trying not to lose my mind," she said as she recounted the "He was in a rush but absolutely clear in his speech, I didn't detect any confusion in his state of mind." Cristina, who is from Somerset , told the broadcaster: "Human beings do not disappear from the face of earth without leaving traces unless … something extremely bad happened to them." Her son had reportedly gone for a walk, and returned in a confused state and showing signs of heatstroke. After this, he went for a second walk - from which he never returned. His clothes and trainers were later found close by. Michael's mum told Sky News is was "extremely unlikely" he would suffer heatstroke as he had lived on the island before. It would also be "completely out of character" to wander off barefoot and leave his belongings behind, she added. She has now moved to Sardinia along with her other son, 11, in an attempt to look for Michael. Cristina, who is originally from Sassari in the island's northwest, said she is "extremely worried because there are no traces of Michael". Although a local investigation into his whereabouts is ongoing, Michael's mum wants Interpol to step in to help with the search. "It's a never-ending nightmare," she said. "There's no real accountability... I am here and I am broken."