Players from the New Zealand national football team were left furious and decided to abandon an international friendly when a Qatar player allegedly made a racist comment. The incident occurred when New Zealand’s centre-back, Michael Boxall, who has Samoan heritage, was allegedly targeted by Yousuf Abdurisag. The All Whites captain, Joe Bell, reported the incident to the referee, Manuel Schuttengruber, but no action was taken. As a result, the team collectively decided not to return for the second half in protest. The match was officially abandoned at halftime. New Zealand Football CEO, Andrew Pragnell, condemned the remark and expressed full support for the players’ decision. Qatar coach, Carlos Queiroz, downplayed the incident, stating it was just an argument between two players. The New Zealand Professional Footballers’ Association also expressed their support for Boxall and his teammates, emphasizing that there is no place for racism in sports. Despite the incident, the All Whites were on track for a significant victory over the Asia Cup champions, with midfielder Marko Stamenic giving them an early lead. Overall, the situation highlights the importance of taking a stand against racism in football.
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Hasibur Rahaman is a passionate sports journalist. He covers everything from cricket to field hockey, delivering up-to-the-minute updates and in-depth analysis of sporting events, both within India and on the international stage.
