New Zealand Football is backing the All Whites' decision not to take the field in the second half of their international against Qatar in Austria, after a player was racially abused.
The slur was directed at defender Michael Boxall by an opposition player - and heard by several All Whites players - shortly before halftime.
The New Zealand captain Joe Bell spent several minutes remonstrating with the referee over the matter, but no action was taken.
New Zealand Football chief executive Andrew Pragnell told Rowan Quinn he's proud of the players' actions, which he says were fully justified given the nature of the slur.
