New Zealand abandon friendly against Qatar amid racism allegations

RITZING, Austria – New Zealand refused to appear for the second half of their friendly against Qatar in Austria on Monday (June 19) after allegations of racial abuse towards defender Michael Boxall by an opponent.

The incident happened just before halftime, triggering a melee after outraged New Zealand players surrounded one of the Qatari players before a free kick.

“Michael Boxall was racially abused during the first half of the game by a Qatari player,” New Zealand Football, the country’s governing football body, said on its Twitter account.

“No official action was taken so the team have agreed not to come out for the second half of the match.”

Boxall, 34, who plays for Minnesota United in Major League Soccer in the United States, is of Samoan heritage.

Qatar coach Carlos Queiroz said New Zealand captain Joe Bell informed them of his team’s decision not to return.

“The facts are as follows. Apparently two players exchanged words, and we don’t know who was first who was second it’s only between them. The New Zealand players decided to support their teammate and we also decided to support our player,” the Portuguese coach told Al-kass Sports Channels.

“They decided to abandoned the game with no witnesses. The referee didn’t hear anything the coach didn’t hear anything, it’s just an argument between two players.

“I think this is a new chapter in football and a situation that no one can understand. Let the football authorities to make the decision about what happened here.

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“I think the players will be under the observation of Fifa but I asked the coach and the referees and no one heard anything,” Queiroz added.

The Qatar FA said on its Twitter feed that New Zealand had withdrawn from the friendly, without giving any further details. Reuters has contacted the governing body for comment.

Referee Manuel Schuttengruber had a long discussion with New Zealand’ Bell and soon after blew for halftime. New Zealand were leading 1-0 with a Marko Stamenic goal in the 16th minute.

The match was part of Qatar’s preparations for the Gold Cup which they have been invited to as part of a strategic partnership between Asian football and Concacaf.

Racism in football has hit the headlines again in recent weeks, with Fifa president Gianni Infantino announcing an anti-racism committee led by Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr, who has been the victim of racist abuse in LaLiga.