• Xabi Alonso supports Ruediger after he claims to have faced racist abuse.
• The incident occurred during Real Madrid's 3-1 win over Pachuca.
• FIFA is investigating the matter following the activation of their anti-racism protocol.
• It remains unclear if the abuse was from a player or the crowd.
• Alonso emphasizes zero tolerance for such behavior in football.

Real Madrid head coach Xabi Alonso expressed his firm support for Antonio Ruediger after the defender reported experiencing racist abuse during their 3-1 victory over Pachuca at the Club World Cup. Alonso stated, "That's what Ruediger said, and we believe him,” underlining the club's stance against racism according to Channel News Asia, Reuters, and Africa News.

The incident reportedly led to the referee activating FIFA's anti-racism protocol five minutes into stoppage time, following a brief altercation. Alonso described the situation as "unacceptable," aligning with the club's commitment to a zero-tolerance policy on racism. "If it happened, then measures should be taken," he emphasized according to Channel News Asia and Reuters.

Despite the strong statements, the source of the alleged abuse remains unclear, with inquiries ongoing to determine whether it originated from Pachuca players or the crowd. FIFA has indicated that it is now investigating the matter, which highlights the persistent issues surrounding racism in sports, as Ruediger has reportedly faced similar abuse during his previous stints at Chelsea and AS Roma according to Reuters and Africa News.