A serious racism controversy has rocked Real Madrid following their 3-1 Club World Cup victory over Mexico’s Pachuca. At the heart of the storm is German defender Antonio Rüdiger, who claims he was racially insulted on the pitch by Gustavo Cabral, the Argentinian captain of Pachuca.

According to Spanish media, Rüdiger reported to the referee that Cabral called him a “black piece of shit,” prompting the activation of FIFA’s anti-racism protocol late in the match.

Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso immediately expressed his support: “We believe Toni and fully stand behind him,” he said. An investigation has since been opened, though Cabral firmly denies the accusation. “There was no racism. I said ‘cagón de mierda,’ a common insult in Argentina,” he insisted, while also confirming tensions flared between the two players in the tunnel.

Pachuca and Mexican coach Jaime Lozano have publicly defended Cabral, calling the accusations out of character. With both sides sticking to their versions, the case is far from closed.