A day after their matches in opposition to New Zealand and Ireland have been deserted, Qatar and Kuwait’s soccer federations Tuesday didn’t settle for allegations of racial abuse of rival gamers.
New Zealand didn’t return for the second half of Monday’s worldwide in Austria whereas main 1-0, claiming Michael Boxall was racially abused by a Qatari opponent.
“No official action was taken so the team have agreed not to come out for the second half of the match,” the New Zealand soccer federation tweeted.
On Tuesday, each the Qatari federation and ahead Yusuf Abdurisag denied he had made any racist feedback, insisting he himself had been the sufferer of discriminatory remarks.
Abdurisag “confirmed an exchange of words with an opponent in the heat of the moment” however maintained he uttered “no insulting or discriminatory remarks”, the Qatari federation mentioned in an announcement.
“During last night’s game, I was the target of racist abuse from a member of the opposing team,” Abdurisag mentioned in a separate assertion.
“To my full shock, that very same participant accused me of utilizing offensive language and the sport was deserted.
“During 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 players often say things to each other in the heat of the moment, but there is a clear line that I have never crossed.”
Qatar’s Portuguese coach Carlos Queiroz mentioned he was “surprised” by the New Zealanders’ determination, saying there had been no witnesses and that it was “just an argument between two players”.
‘Excessive roughness’
Kuwait additionally rejected claims the match between their Olympic staff and Ireland’s under-21s had been deserted due to alleged racist abuse by one among their gamers.
The match, in Bad Radkersburg, Austria, was deserted within the second half.
“The Kuwait Football Association condemns the announcement made by the Irish Football Association through its official Twitter account, regarding the alleged racism directed towards one of their players during the friendly match between the Kuwait Olympic Team and the Irish team,” mentioned an announcement.
“Kuwait Football Association confirms that the circulated news is false, and it categorically rejects such accusations, especially considering the match did not reach completion due to excessive roughness and tension between the players.”
“The match was stopped by the referee in the 70th minute in order to protect the players from potential injuries,” it added.
On Monday, the FAI issued an announcement on Twitter saying racism was the rationale.
“The FAI regrets to announce that today’s U21 international against Kuwait has been abandoned after a racist remark was made by a Kuwaiti player towards one of our substitutes,” the FAI posted.
“The FAI does not tolerate any racism towards any of our players or staff and will be reporting this serious matter to FIFA and UEFA.”
Irish media reported that the alleged sufferer was Queens Park Rangers ahead Sinclair Armstrong.
“Kuwait FA emphasizes its full commitment to sportsmanship and encourages the promotion of complete respect. It rejects and confronts all forms of discrimination, inequality and racism,” mentioned the Kuwaiti response.
“Kuwait FA also affirms that all players representing the Kuwaiti national teams are characterized by commitment, discipline, good manners, and exemplary behavior. None of them are allowed to act improperly toward any other party.”
Source: www.dailysabah.com
