All Whites game abandoned after racial abuse

Michael Boxall
Photo: www.photosport.nz

New Zealand Football said on social media that Michael Boxhall was racially abused during the first half by a Qatari player.

New Zealand Football then added that because no action was taken the team decided not to come out for the second half.

The incident happened shortly before half time and New Zealand captain Joe Bell spent several minutes remonstrating with the referee over the matter but no action was seemingly taken.

The All Whites were leading 1-0 after Marko Stamenic scored early in the game.

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

“Apparently two players on the pitch they exchanged words… the New Zealand players decided to support their teammate just as our team decided to support our player,” Portuguese coach Carlos Queiroz told the Sky TV broadcast.

“The staff of New Zealand also support the statement of the New Zealand player and we support our player and they decided to abandon the game… it’s just an argument between two players and this is a new chapter in football which nobody can understand.”

-RNZ