Racism, New Zealand-Qatar and Ireland-Kuwait Under 21 interrupted – Corriere.it

The football friendly between New Zealand and Qatar on Monday evening, in Austria, was suspended between the first and second half: the New Zealanders, in fact, decided not to return to the field to protest against alleged racial abuse by their opponents.

Michael Boxall — of Samoan origin, ed — in the 40th minute he suffered a racist insult during the first half from a Qata playerr. The phrase has been heard by many New Zealand players, and also by Boxall. The referee did not intervene, so the team refused to return to the field for the second half, wrote the Wellington Football Association on social media.

Qatar coach Carlos Queiroz explained that to our great surprise the New Zealand captain came at half-time to inform us that they would not be resuming the game. Apparently two players on the pitch insulted each other, the Portuguese told Qatari media. Who started? Who answered? Only the two of them know. There are no witnesses and the referee has not heard. And the benches didn’t hear either. a discussion between two players.

However, Queiroz said he expected FIFA to investigate the incident. We leave it up to the football authorities to decide what happened, he concluded. I think this case will be difficult for Fifa because nobody has heard anything.

This same Monday, and still in Austria, another episode occurred: another friendly, that one between the Under 21 of Ireland and that of Kuwait suspended after the Irish complained of racial abuse by an opposing player against a member of his bench. Again the Football Association of Ireland has taken a stand: The Federation does not tolerate any racism towards our players or staff and will report this serious problem to FIFA and UEFA.