FIFA has dropped its case against Argentinian defender Gustavo Cabral after concluding there was insufficient evidence to support claims he directed racist abuse at Real Madrid’s Antonio Rüdiger during a Club World Cup fixture against Pachuca.
The incident occurred during the tournament match in the United States, when play was briefly halted following an altercation between the two players.
Rüdiger alleged he was subjected to a racist slur, while Cabral insisted his words had been misinterpreted and carried no discriminatory meaning.
On Friday, 22 August 2025, FIFA’s disciplinary panel confirmed the closure of the investigation, lifting all provisional sanctions against Cabral and declaring that no further action would be taken.
The confrontation
The flashpoint unfolded midway through the game when tensions flared between Cabral and Rüdiger, leading the referee to stop play under FIFA’s anti-discrimination protocol. According to Rüdiger, he was called a derogatory racial term, prompting him to alert the officials.
Cabral, however, firmly denied the accusation, stating he had used the phrase “fucking coward” – a common insult in his native Argentina – rather than a racially offensive remark.
The defender described the claim against him as a misunderstanding rooted in misheard words and assured investigators he had never intended any form of discriminatory abuse.
The incident sparked significant debate and scrutiny, with FIFA launching a formal investigation in the aftermath of the match.
The investigation process
FIFA employed several methods to examine the allegations, including interviews with both players and witnesses, a review of multiple television camera angles, and an analysis of lip-reading footage.
In addition, audio from the referee’s pitch-side microphone was examined to determine the exact wording used during the confrontation.
Despite these extensive efforts, officials were unable to establish conclusive proof to support Rüdiger’s account.
After more than two months of inquiries, the disciplinary division concluded that the evidence did not meet the threshold required to impose sanctions.
The ruling means Cabral, who had faced provisional suspension measures during the course of the investigation, is now free to participate in future matches without restriction.
FIFA’s stance
In its official statement, FIFA reiterated its “zero tolerance” policy on racism and discriminatory conduct within the game but stressed the need for definitive evidence before disciplinary punishment can be applied.
The governing body noted that while the seriousness of the allegation was acknowledged, the absence of clear proof necessitated the dismissal of the case.
The decision is expected to draw varied reactions across football. Supporters of Rüdiger may feel the outcome falls short of justice, while others will view the ruling as a reminder of the difficulties governing bodies face in proving verbal misconduct on the pitch.
Conclusion of a contentious episode
The closure of the case brings an end to a high-profile controversy that overshadowed part of this year’s Club World Cup.
While Cabral has been cleared of wrongdoing, the episode has once again highlighted the challenges football authorities encounter in tackling alleged racist incidents in real time.
For now, both players return to their respective clubs with FIFA confirming the matter is officially closed.
