Qatar x New Zealand friendly canceled at half-time over racial abuse

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
20 Jun 2023 13:42

The match was taking place in Sonnenseestadion, in Ritizing in Austria, and was being officiated by Manuel Schuttengruber

Michael Boxall. (Wikimedia Commons)

New Zealand's national men's football team walked off their friendly with Qatar on Monday after the All Whites alleged that one of the Qatari players racially abused Michael Boxall, who is of Kiwi and Samoan heritage, and failure on part of referees to address the situation.

When the game had reached half-time, the All Whites took the decision not to go back to the pitch. By then, they had already scored 1-0 against their Qatari counterparts.

In a statement, New Zealand's Football Association said that "Michael Boxall was racially abused during the first half of the game by a Qatari player," and that "no official action was taken so the team has agreed not to come out for the second half of the match."

The match was taking place in Sonnenseestadion, in Ritizing in Austria, and was being officiated by Manuel Schuttengruber

Qatar manager Carlos Queiroz told reporters on Monday, "Apparently two players on the pitch they exchanged words … the New Zealand players, they decided to support his teammate as it is obvious all our team decided to support our player. This is a new story, a new chapter in football, which is for sure. Something that nobody can understand. I think this case will be under the observation of Fifa for sure."

Confusion reigns at halftime of the Qatar x New Zealand game, as the NZ players refused to come out saying a Qatari player had racially abused one of their teammates

This was Qatar coach Carlos Queiroz’s statement to an Al Kass reporter 👇pic.twitter.com/8sAIsnZsI1
— Qatar Football Live (@QFootLive) June 19, 2023

The players union (NZPFA) tweeted their support for the action.

NZPFA stands unequivocally with its players. We commend and support our players’ poised reaction in this challenging situation.

We have contacted the team and will work with @NZ_Football to support the players in any way required.

There is no room for racism in our sport.
— NZPFA (@nzpfa) June 19, 2023