Players of both teams (Michael Boxall and Bill Tuiloma) argue during the New Zealand All Whites v Qatar friendly football match in Austria, 2023.
Photo: PHOTOSPORT
The All Whites’ stance against racism could empower other New Zealand athletes to do the same, according to an academic.
New Zealand Football fully endorsed the All Whites’ decision to refuse to take the field after defender Michael Boxall was allegedly racially abused by a Qatari opponent in the first half of a match in Austria on Tuesday.
AUT sports lecturer Dion Enari had researched racism in sport and said the support Boxall’s team mates showed him was “heartwarming” and was a “warning” to the sporting world.
“A lot of New Zealand athletes will now not stand for it as well, even those who are not victim will stand next to and in solidarity with those who are victim of racial slurs and it sends a big message to the rest of the world that our athletes won’t be passive bystanders in instances like this,” Enari said.
“It was reminder that we all have a part to play and we all have the power to stamp out racism. The fact that [Boxall’s] team got behind him and stood in solidarity by saying we’re not going to play because of the really terrible racist comments that were said I think is an indication of the human spirit.”
New Zealand Football chief executive Andrew Pragnell said several players heard the comment made to Boxall and he was also proud of their response.
This month FIFA president Gianni Infantino said matches must be stopped if there was racial abuse.
“The referees have this opportunity in FIFA competitions as we have this process for stopping the game, and actions have to be taken at every level, at national level as well. Everyone has to understand this and we will go, together, until the end.”
Enari supported Infantino’s approach.
“Sporting organisations and sporting bodies and people in management and referees have a duty to stop the game in that instance so there’s a clear collective message not only from the players but from organisers of sport that this type of behaviour will not be tolerated.”
The Qatar FA is now claiming the All Whites abused one of their players.
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