For accusations of racism
New Zealand cancels friendly against Qatar
06/19/2023, 11:17 p.m
In an international match against World Cup hosts Qatar and the New Zealand national team does not return to the pitch after the half-time break. A verbal exchange of blows was said to have resulted in a racist failure against one of their players.
New Zealand’s national soccer team has called off a friendly against former World Cup hosts Qatar over alleged racial slurs. According to their own statements, the All Whites did not play in the second half of the game in Ritzing, Austria. “Michael Boxall was racially insulted by a Qatari player in the first half. No official action was taken so the team have agreed not to come out for the second half,” the NZ federation tweeted.
The 34-year-old central defender Boxall plays in American Major League Soccer for FC United Minnesota. What exactly happened is unclear. In a tweet, the Qatar Federation only commented on the All Whites’ withdrawal, without going into the circumstances. New Zealand pulled out of a friendly in preparation for the Gold Cup, sources said. There was initially no comment on the allegations.
According to the “New Zealand Herald”, the incident is said to have occurred in the 40th minute, but it is said not to have been caught by cameras. After a free-kick for Qatar, Boxall reportedly went to the referee and fouled Yusuf Abdurisag and said something to him while he was still on the ground. Abdurisag is said to have stood up and said something to Boxall again, whereupon half of the New Zealanders reacted and complained to the referee before the break went on and the New Zealanders stayed in their dressing room. New Zealand were leading 1-0 at the time. The referee did not hear the verbal argument, said Qatar coach Carlos Queiroz.