Footballers New Zealand refuse to continue playing after alleged racism Qatar
NOS Soccer–
New Zealand-Qatar, a practice match played in Austria, was stopped at halftime. The New Zealand players said one of them had been racially targeted by an opponent. When the referee failed to act, the New Zealanders decided not to continue playing after halftime.
The incident occurred shortly before halftime. Defender Michael Boxall along with several teammates reacted furiously when, according to them, the Qatari Yusuf Abdurisag shouted something racist at Boxall.
“Michael Boxall was racially called out in the first half by a Qatar player. No official sanction was imposed, so the team has decided not to appear for the second half,” the New Zealand Football Association reported via Twitter.
The soccer federation stands behind the players and commends them for their “considered response.”
Qatar national coach Carlos Queiroz said New Zealand’s captain had come to him to say they would not continue playing. “Apparently two players on the field said things to each other,” Queiroz told Qatar’s Alkass sports channel. “The New Zealand players decided to support their teammate, all our players supported their teammate.”
Queiroz expects soccer federation FIFA to investigate the incident. “The referee didn’t hear it, the bench, the coaches, nobody heard it. It was an exchange between two players.” New Zealand led 1-0 at halftime.
