Allegations that a Qatari player directed racial abuse at New Zealand defender – and former SuperSport player – Michael Boxall, who has Samoan heritage, prompted New Zealand to refuse the play the second half.
This was the first of two international football matches abandoned on Monday after allegations of racial abuse.
Both matches were taking place in Austria.
New Zealand said they refused to play the second half against Qatar after saying Boxall was abused by a Qatari player during the first half.
In the second game, a friendly match between the Republic of Ireland Under-21s and Kuwait also ended early after an alleged racist remark.
The Football Association of Ireland said a Kuwait Under-22 player made the remark to a Republic substitute.
In the case involving former SuperSport player Boxall, New Zealand posted on their Twitter account: ‘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.’
International football federation FIFA said it was ‘awaiting the official reports before deciding on next steps’.
A spokesman was quoted by the BBC as saying: ‘FIFA has a zero-tolerance policy against any forms of discrimination as stressed last week by the FIFA president.’
Gianni Infantino announced that Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr will lead a special anti-racism committee made up of players. The committee will suggest stricter punishments for discriminatory behaviour in football.
[Image: andywitchger, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=62645794]