FIFA is poised to investigate reports concerning two separate incidents of alleged racism during international matches that took place on Monday.
In the match between the Republic of Ireland Under-21s and Kuwait Under-22s in Austria, the game was abandoned following an accusation that a player from the Kuwaiti team racially abused one of Ireland’s substitutes.
Similarly, the senior international match between New Zealand and Qatar, also held in Austria, was prematurely halted after the New Zealand Football Association revealed that one of their players, Michael Boxall, was subjected to a racist comment by an opponent from Qatar during the first half.
FIFA will now examine these incidents as part of their ongoing efforts to combat racism in football.
Even though the Ireland match was a tier two friendly and not requiring formal FIFA approval to be played, the fact that the Football Association of Ireland said in a tweet on Monday evening it would be reporting the matter to FIFA would oblige the game’s global governing body to investigate.
The New Zealand match was played under FIFA jurisdiction, meaning the referee’s report will be sent to the global governing body as a matter of course.
FIFA would be expected to take a tough stance if one or both of the allegations are found proven.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino said last week: “It’s very important not just to talk about racism and discrimination, but to take action in a decisive and convincing manner – zero tolerance.
“There is no football if there is racism – so let’s stop the games.
“The referees have this opportunity in FIFA competitions as we have this process for stopping the game, and actions have to be taken at every level, at national level as well.”
Gianni Infantino has met Brazil and Real Madrid forward Vinícius Júnior, the victim of several shocking racism incidents while playing for his club this season, and sent a powerful message, saying that football cannot go on when there is discrimination.
— FIFA Media (@fifamedia) June 15, 2023
👉https://t.co/z5Kp7BgKDU pic.twitter.com/3aNRObYRTd
Infantino made the remarks after meeting with the Brazil squad in Barcelona, including Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior who has been on the receiving end of repeated racial abuse in Spain this year.
The Football Association of Ireland posted a tweet on Monday which read: “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 does not tolerate any racism towards any of our players or staff and will be reporting this serious matter to FIFA and UEFA.”
The Kuwaiti federation published a tweet in which Olympic football team director Jarrah Al Ateeqi claimed the match had been abandoned “due to roughness and excessive tension between the players”.