[Source: Stuff.co.nz]

The All Whites’ international friendly against Qatar was abandoned at halftime on Tuesday (NZT) after claims New Zealand centre-back Michael Boxall was racially abused by an opposition player.

In a statement, New Zealand Football said the All Whites agreed not to come out for the second half after Boxall was racially abused by a Qatari player and no action was taken by the referee.

The incident occurred in the 40th minute. Yousuf Abdurisag made a comment to Boxall which angered the All Whites and led to a melee after Qatar won a free-kick.

All Whites captain Joe Bell remonstrated with referee Manuel Schuttengruber and shook his head when no action was taken.

The final five minutes of the first half were completed but the All Whites did not come out for the second half.

Qatar coach Carlos Queiroz said on the television broadcast that New Zealand had abandoned the match.

He said he did not hear the comment made by Abdurisag but expected Fifa to investigate the incident.

“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. 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 said it commended the All Whites players for taking a stand against racism.

“NZPFA stands unequivocally with its players. We commend and support our players’ poised reaction in this challenging situation,” it said.

“We have contacted the team and will work with @NZ_Football to support the players in any way required. There is no room for racism in our sport.”

The All Whites were 1-0 up and on track for a notable result against the reigning Asian Cup champions when the game was abandoned.

Midfielder Marko Stamenic gave New Zealand the early lead when he finished off a counter-attack and scored with a well-taken goal from outside the penalty area in the 17th minute.

Matthew Garbett seized on a loose ball and released Marco Rojas down the left wing. Rojas then played a pass inside to Stamenic who took a touch before rifling the ball into the bottom left corner of the goal.

It was the 20-year-old’s first-ever international goal for the All Whites.

The match was played on neutral territory at the 5000-seat Sonnenseestadion in Ritzing, Austria.

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