Real Coach Alonso Backs Player After He Suffered Alleged Racist Abuse
Trouble is running amok in the soccer world of Charlotte, North Carolina. Xabi Alonso is a Spanish football manager and retired midfielder. He's known for his playing career with Liverpool, Real Madrid, and Bayern Munich, and for his role in Spain's World Cup and European Championship wins. Since retiring as a player, he has transitioned into coaching, notably leading Bayer Leverkusen to their first Bundesliga title in the 2023/24 season.
Currently as Real Madrid coach, Xabi Alonso said he believed Antonio Ruediger when the player told him he was a victim of racist abuse during their 3-1 win against Mexican side Pachuca at the Club World Cup on Sunday. Referee Ramon Abatti crossed his forearms in front of his chest, which signals the activation of the anti-racism protocol, five minutes into stoppage time after a brief scuffle erupted following a foul on Germany international Ruediger. When asked if Ruediger had been the victim of racism during the game, Alonso told a press conference: "That’s what Ruediger said, and we believe him. "It is important to have zero tolerance in these kinds of situations. FIFA is now investigating. That's all I can say." It was not immediately clear whether the alleged abuse came from the crowd or an opponent. Soccer's governing body FIFA was not immediately in a position to clarify the incident when contacted by Reuters, as it still awaits the referee's report.
Ruediger, 32, has been the target of racist abuse several times when playing for Chelsea, both on the pitch and online, AS Roma and Real Madrid. This all comes as Alonso adjusts to his new role. And it's safe to say the team is still very much in the middle of a transitional period. They must accept how their coach is trying to balance it all– working with what he has whilst simultaneously trying to usher in a new generation that doesn’t take away from its predecessors, but instead builds upon them to become even greater. On top of everything he must do to lead Real Madrid to the championships after the World Cup Opening match recently along with deciding player lineups for matches– well safe to say the coach has a lot on his plate.
