New Zealand frustrated by FIFA racism probe

A senior New Zealand international says FIFA's dismissal of an investigation into a racist slur is unacceptable, and has called on football's governing body to act.

In June, the New Zealand national team abandoned a friendly against Qatar at half-time, alleging Kiwi player Michael Boxall was abused by Qatar's Yusuf Abdurisag.

Qatar's FA issued a statement denying the charges, and counter-claimed that Abdurisag was in fact on the end of racist abuse during the match.

FIFA launched a probe into the ugly spat, which appears to have reached a dead end.

This month, media outlet Stuff reported FIFA had concluded its investigation, telling New Zealand Football there was a lack of evidence to take the matter further.

Goalkeeper Oli Sail, who was on the bench for the Qatar friendly, said New Zealand footballers stood by their claim.

"I didn't hear the incident itself - I was on the bench obviously, so didn't hear it and was a long way away from me - but I absolutely believe my players, all the players from our playing group wholeheartedly, that the incident took place and their recollection of the events," he said.

Sail said FIFA's failure to progress disciplinary action was not acceptable.

"For me, it's not," he said. "If FIFA doesn't want to act on it, that's their decision. In my opinion, they should have.

"Very disappointed to see that was the outcome.

"But regardless of that, proud of the decision made by the senior players and the playing group to take a stand and do the right thing."

FIFA and its president Gianni Infantino have backed a number of anti-racism initiatives, including support for Brazilian striker Vinicius Junior, who is regularly vilified on club duty in Spain.

The New Zealand-Qatar incident occurred just days after Infantino urged players to stop playing should they hear racist abuse.

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

However, the governing body appears to have fallen short of its own yardstick in the Abdurisag case by failing to instigate disciplinary proceedings.

FIFA has been approached for comment.

Sail said it was his understanding NZ Football had no recourse to challenge the call.

"I haven't heard anything from New Zealand Football or the playing group about what's next," he said, adding he believed that was the end of the matter.

Also this week, the referee who officiated the match - Austrian whistleblower Manuel Schuttengruber - announced he would be ending his international career after more than 70 matches across a decade.

According to one report, it is unclear whether Schuttengruber's decision to switch focus to domestic competitions and referee coaching was connected to the New Zealand-Qatar match.

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