Middle East

‘Unwarranted attention’: Qatar backs footballer in racism row

New Zealand accused Qatar’s Abdurisag of utilizing racial slur in opposition to a participant of Samoan origin throughout a pleasant match.

Qatar Soccer Affiliation (QFA) has hit again at allegations of racism in opposition to one among its gamers in a match in opposition to New Zealand that led to the sport’s abandonment at half-time.

With New Zealand main 1-0 within the pleasant match happening in Austria on Monday, a melee came about between gamers from each side within the fortieth minute.

New Zealand captain Joe Bell complained to referee Manuel Schuttengruber, accusing Qatar’s Yusuf Abdurisag of utilizing a racial slur in opposition to Michael Boxall who’s of Samoan origin.

New Zealand refused to take the sphere after the interval and, in an announcement issued on Tuesday, New Zealand Soccer (NZF) stated the crew refused to play the second half after the referee refused to take motion.

On Wednesday, the QFA condemned the “unwarranted consideration” the participant acquired and remained “absolutely dedicated to supporting” Abdurisag.

“Everybody at QFA stands with Abdurisag and strongly condemns the unwarranted consideration he has acquired previously 24 hours,” Jassim bin Rashid al-Buenain, QFA president, stated in an announcement.

“The QFA stays absolutely dedicated to supporting Yusuf right now.”

New Zealand to refer the incident to FIFA

New Zealand accused the Qatari winger of directing a “important racist slur” at Boxall.

The NZF stated it might contact FIFA about defending gamers from racism following the incident.

In an announcement launched after the sport, it said that “the racial slur was heard by a number of New Zealand gamers, together with Boxall”.

NZF CEO Andrew Pragnell stated they “absolutely help the motion of our gamers”, who determined to desert the match.

“There isn’t a room for racism in soccer,” he stated.

Final week, FIFA President Gianni Infantino insisted that matches ought to be deserted by the referee if there was a racist incident.

“There isn’t a soccer if there’s racism. So let’s cease the video games,” Infantino stated.

“The referees have this chance in FIFA competitions as we’ve got this course of for stopping the sport, and actions must be taken at each degree, at nationwide degree as nicely.”

Abdurisag denies making racist feedback

On Tuesday, each the Qatari federation and Abdurisag denied making racist feedback.

Abdurisag “confirmed an trade of phrases with an opponent within the warmth of the second” however maintained he uttered “no insulting or discriminatory remarks”, the Qatari federation stated in an announcement.

“Throughout final night time’s sport, I used to be the goal of racist abuse from a member of the opposing crew,” Abdurisag stated in a separate assertion.

“To my full shock, that very same participant accused me of utilizing offensive language and the sport was deserted.

“Throughout my travels around the globe as a footballer I’ve skilled racist abuse, however by no means have I been each a sufferer and the accused in the identical incident.

“It’s true that gamers usually say issues to one another within the warmth of the second, however there’s a clear line that I’ve by no means crossed.”

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