New Zealand Football (NZF) plan to contact FIFA about protecting players from racism after abandoning a friendly against Qatar at half-time following an alleged racial slur.
The NZF said a Qatari player directed a “racist slur” at Michael Boxall, who has Samoan heritage, and it was “heard by several New Zealand players”.
Ad The incident occurred just before half-time and referee Manuel Schuttengruber was seen having a discussion with New Zealand captain Joe Bell.
World CupGakpo scores for third game in a row as Netherlands beat Qatar to top group29/11/2022 AT 14:08 Schuttengruber then blew for half-time and New Zealand agreed at the break to not play the rest of the game. “No official action was taken so the team have agreed not to come out for the second half of the match," NZF said on social media.