All Whites game abandoned after alleged racial abuse towards Samoan player

via RNZ 

Cover image: Michael Boxall and Bill Tuiloma by PHOTOSPORT

The All Whites allege Michael Boxall was abused late in the first half of their game with captain Joe Bell raising the matter with the referee but no action was taken.

The All Whites then refused to take the field in the second half.

New Zealand Football chief executive Andrew Pragnell said several players heard the comment and he endorses the action taken by the team.

"We fully support the action of our players, who agreed collectively this course of action," he said.

"We never want to see a match abandoned but some issues are bigger than football and it is important to make a stand," he said.

"There is no room for racism in football."

The All Whites led 1-nil when the match was abandoned.

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," Qatar 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."

Just a few days ago in Barcelona FIFA president Gianni Infantino said matches must be stopped if there is racial abuse.

NZPFA stands unequivocally with its players. We commend and support our players’ poised reaction in this challenging situation.

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.

— NZPFA (@nzpfa) June 19, 2023

"It's very important not just to talk about racism and discrimination, but to take action in a decisive and convincing manner - zero tolerance,"

He said it was imperative that match officials stop a match when players were subject to abuse.

"There is no football if there is racism! So let's stop the games," he said.

"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."

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Samoan football player Michael Boxall and his brother Niko recently shared some of their journey with us here -