New Zealand-Qatar friendly abandoned after racism claim

An international friendly between New Zealand and Qatar was abandoned in Austria on Monday after the former claimed one of their players was racially abused by an opponent.

New Zealand did not return for the second half of the match after an incident that occurred shortly before the break, with them leading 1-0.

"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," the New Zealand football federation tweeted.

Qatar coach Carlos Queiroz said New Zealand's captain came over at half-time to inform him they would not be resuming the game.

"The facts are the following. Apparently, two players on the pitch exchanged words," Queiroz told Qatari sports channel Alkass.

"The New Zealand players decided to support their team-mate. All our team decided to support our player.

"The staff of New Zealand also support the statement of the New Zealand player. We support our player and they decided to abandon the game with no witnesses.

"The referee did not (hear the exchange), the benches, coaches nobody (heard). Just an argument between two players."

Queiroz said he expected FIFA would investigate the incident.

"Let's allow the football authorities to take a decision about what happened," he added.

"I think this case will be under the observation of FIFA, for sure, because I ask the coach, the referees... nobody (heard anything)."