Real Madrid defender Rüdiger “gravely insulted” by Braga assistant coach after Champions League game

Tuesday’s Champions League clash between Braga and Real Madrid was played with little in the way of animosity on the field, although things escalated after referee Michael Oliver blew the full-time whistle. Central defender Antonio Rüdiger, who also had an “exchange” with former Blancos defender Sergio Ramos after Saturday’s LaLiga match against Sevilla, was at centre of the storm and had to be ushered to the dressing room by three teammates following the post-match handshakes.

Rüdiger denies suggestions of racist abuse

Nacho, Ferland Mendy and Vinícius Júnior were those tasked with restraining the German as things got heated. Club sources confirmed to AS that although there was no evidence Rüdiger had been the victim of racist abuse, he had been “gravely insulted, without doubt” by one of Braga coach Artur Jorge’s assistants.

After things had settled down, the centre-back took to X to deny suggestions he had been racially attacked. “It’s all good again guys - I am relaxed. He definitely did not insult me racially, there was just a little dispute after our ways have crossed each other after the final whistle.”

Ancelotti: “We had trouble keeping Rüdiger under control”

Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti also had his say on the incident: “I don’t know what happened with Rüdiger. I think he was shoved by a Braga assistant coach. He was very angry and we had trouble keeping him under control. But things have calmed down in the locker room now,” the Italian explained in his post-match press conference. Later on Tuesday, Spanish broadcaster Movistar Plus + claimed various Braga representatives were involved, not only one member of the coaching staff.