Boxall claims a Qatari player used a racial slur towards him after a confrontation between the two players in the first half.
Sweden’s forward Anthony Elanga and New Zealand’s defender Michael Boxall (R) vie for the ball during the International Friendly football match between Sweden and New Zealand, in Solna on June 16, 2023.
Picture: Jonathan NACKSTRAND / AFP
JOHANNESBURG – New Zealand’s national football team made a bold decision to abandon their friendly international against Qatar on Monday after one of their players was allegedly racially abused by an opposing player.
Former Supersport United defender Michael Boxall claims a Qatari player used a racial slur towards him after a confrontation between the two players in the first half. Several of Boxall’s teammate backed up his assertion, and team captain Joe Bell raised the matter with officials.
When the referee decided no further action would be taken, the New Zealanders made a collective decision to refuse to return to the field after the half-time break, while they were leading 1-0.
Michael Boxall was racially abused during the first half of the game by a Qatari player.
No official action was taken so the team have agreed not to come out for the second half of the match.
‘ New Zealand Football ???????? (@NZ_Football) June 19, 2023
New Zealand Football responded to the incident by standing with their players.
“We fully support the action of our players, who agreed collectively this course of action. We never want to see a match abandoned, but some issues are bigger than football and it is important to make a stand. There is no room for racism in football,” New Zealand Football CEO Andrew Pragnell said.
The Qatar FA, FIFA, and the Asian Football Confederation have yet to provide comment on the matter, and it remains to be seen if any disciplinary measures will be taken against either of the teams.
For all the latest Sports News Click Here
