New Zealand Football group
| Photo Credit: Reuters
New Zealand deserted its soccer friendly in opposition to Qatar at halftime in Austria on June 19 after accusing a Qatari participant of constructing a racist comment to defender Michael Boxall.
In a press release issued on June 20, Football New Zealand stated the group refused to play the second half when the referee declined to take motion.
New Zealand was main 1-0 in Ritzing.
The incident occurred after Qatar was awarded a free kick. The New Zealanders complained Qatar’s Yousuf Abdurisag made a racist comment to Boxall, who’s of Samoan heritage.
After a melee between the groups within the fortieth minute, New Zealand captain Joe Bell complained to referee Manuel Schuttengruber, who shook his head, indicating he wouldn’t take motion in opposition to the Qatar participant.
“We totally assist the motion of our gamers, who agreed collectively this plan of action,” New Zealand Football CEO Andrew Pragnell said in a statement. “We never want to see a match abandoned but some issues are bigger than football and it is important to make a stand.”
Qatar coach Carlos Queiroz said on the television broadcast of the match that he had not heard the comment.
Also read: Without Messi, Argentina labours to 2-0 win over Indonesia in friendly
“The facts are the following. Apparently two players on the pitch exchanged words,” Mr. Queiroz said. “The New Zealand players decided to support their teammate just as our team decided to support our player.
“They decided to abandon the game with no witnesses. The referee did not listen (to what was said). It’s just an argument between two players.
“It’s a new chapter in football which is, for sure, something nobody can understand. Let’s let the football authorities make a decision. This game will be under observation from FIFA for sure.”
The New Zealand Professional Footballers’ Association (NZPFA) said it stood by the New Zealand players.
“We have contacted the team and will work with NZ Football to support the players in any way required,” the NZPFA stated. “There isn’t any room for racism in our sport.”
