Incensed NZ walks off abandons match after incident

// Players of New Zealand's national football team were left incensed and decided to abandon an international friendly when a Qatar player allegedly made a racist remark. The All Whites led 1-0 in the 40th minute when centre-back Michael Boxall, who has Samoan heritage, was allegedly targeted by Yousuf Abdurisag. All Whites captain Joe Bell spoke with referee Manuel Schuttengruberand, who could be seen shaking his head. AS IT HAPPENED: First Ashes Test, day four READ MORE: Dons icon tees off as Bombers consider radical change READ MORE: 'Cruel and unusual' misses cost McIlroy a major The final five minutes of the first half were completed but the All Whites opted not to return for the second half in protest.  A statement released by New Zealand Football confirmed the match was abandoned at halftime after no action was taken by the referee. "In the 40th minute of the New Zealand vs Qatar game today in Austria, a Qatari player used a racial slur towards All Whites defender Michael Boxall after a confrontation between the two players," the statement read. "The racial slur was heard by several New Zealand players, including Boxall. "The players reported the incident, but no official action was taken. "At half-time, with the All Whites leading 1-0 in the fixture, given that no official action was taken, the team collectively agreed that they would not continue with the match." New Zealand Football CEO Andrew Pragnell condemned the remark. "We fully support the action of our players, who agreed collectively this course of action," he said. "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." https://twitter.com/QFootLive/status/1670850842633592832 Qatar coach Carlos Queiroz spoke on the broadcast at halftime where he appeared to downplay the seriousness of the incident but said he expected FIFA to investigate. "The facts are the following; apparently two players on the pitch exchanged words. The New Zealand players decided to support their teammate just as our team decided to support our player," Queiroz said. "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. "I think it's a new chapter in football which is for sure something nobody can understand," he added.  "Let's let the football authorities make a decision. I think this game will be under observation from FIFA for sure." The New Zealand Professional Footballers' Association subsequently made its own statemen, affirming its support for Boxall and his teammates. https://twitter.com/MNUFC/status/1670920739485106177 "NZPFA stands unequivocally with its players. We commend and support our players' poised reaction in this challenging situation," it read. "We have contacted the team and will work with New Zealand Football to support the players in any way required.  "There is no room for racism in our sport." The All Whites were on course for a significant win over the Asia Cup champions. Midfielder Marko Stamenic gave New Zealand an early lead in the 17th minute. For a daily dose of the best of the breaking news and exclusive content from Wide World of Sports, subscribe to our newsletter by clicking here! Players of New Zealand's national football team were left incensed and decided to abandon an international friendly when a Qatar player allegedly made a racist remark. The All Whites led 1-0 in the 40th minute when centre-back Michael Boxall, who has Samoan heritage, was allegedly targeted by Yousuf Abdurisag. All Whites captain Joe Bell spoke with referee Manuel Schuttengruberand, who could be seen shaking his head. AS IT HAPPENED: First Ashes Test, day four READ MORE: Dons icon tees off as Bombers consider radical change READ MORE: 'Cruel and unusual' misses cost McIlroy a major The final five minutes of the first half were completed but the All Whites opted not to return for the second half in protest.  A statement released by New Zealand Football confirmed the match was abandoned at halftime after no action was taken by the referee. "In the 40th minute of the New Zealand vs Qatar game today in Austria, a Qatari player used a racial slur towards All Whites defender Michael Boxall after a confrontation between the two players," the statement read. "The racial slur was heard by several New Zealand players, including Boxall. "The players reported the incident, but no official action was taken. "At half-time, with the All Whites leading 1-0 in the fixture, given that no official action was taken, the team collectively agreed that they would not continue with the match." New Zealand Football CEO Andrew Pragnell condemned the remark. "We fully support the action of our players, who agreed collectively this course of action," he said. "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." https://twitter.com/QFootLive/status/1670850842633592832 Qatar coach Carlos Queiroz spoke on the broadcast at halftime where he appeared to downplay the seriousness of the incident but said he expected FIFA to investigate. "The facts are the following; apparently two players on the pitch exchanged words. The New Zealand players decided to support their teammate just as our team decided to support our player," Queiroz said. "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. "I think it's a new chapter in football which is for sure something nobody can understand," he added.  "Let's let the football authorities make a decision. I think this game will be under observation from FIFA for sure." The New Zealand Professional Footballers' Association subsequently made its own statemen, affirming its support for Boxall and his teammates. https://twitter.com/MNUFC/status/1670920739485106177 "NZPFA stands unequivocally with its players. We commend and support our players' poised reaction in this challenging situation," it read. "We have contacted the team and will work with New Zealand Football to support the players in any way required.  "There is no room for racism in our sport." The All Whites were on course for a significant win over the Asia Cup champions. Midfielder Marko Stamenic gave New Zealand an early lead in the 17th minute. For a daily dose of the best of the breaking news and exclusive content from Wide World of Sports, subscribe to our newsletter by clicking here! https://ift.tt/3GWyqh2 //