To be clear, it is my belief that you could use that word in an unfriendly way in the context of an argument with an opponent, and it would still not be racial abuse.
It has been reported that there were words going back and forth between Boxall and the Qatar player involved. It has also been reported that the Qatari said "watch your mouth" after the slur was alleged to have said. It is my opinion that, in the context of unfriendly words going back and forth, it is quite possible that the Qatari said "watch it, n****" in a threatening manner, and then when the All Whites kicked off he was clarifying, "watch your mouth".
If this was the case, I do not believe that constitutes racial abuse. If a white person had said this to MB in the exact same way, that's racial abuse. But he is black and can and clearly does use that word. And it need not be said with racist intent. Black people can say that sentence and it be synonymous with "watch it, dude".
The All Whites and MB are within their rights to consider that racial abuse and boycott the second half, but I don't think many other people around the world are going to agree with that stance.
It has been reported that there were words going back and forth between Boxall and the Qatar player involved. It has also been reported that the Qatari said "watch your mouth" after the slur was alleged to have said. It is my opinion that, in the context of unfriendly words going back and forth, it is quite possible that the Qatari said "watch it, n****" in a threatening manner, and then when the All Whites kicked off he was clarifying, "watch your mouth".
If this was the case, I do not believe that constitutes racial abuse. If a white person had said this to MB in the exact same way, that's racial abuse. But he is black and can and clearly does use that word. And it need not be said with racist intent. Black people can say that sentence and it be synonymous with "watch it, dude".
The All Whites and MB are within their rights to consider that racial abuse and boycott the second half, but I don't think many other people around the world are going to agree with that stance.
You are right fella you have said enough on this topic. But one question where has it been reported Abdurisag said to the AWs 'watch your mouth'? Where? By that you are alluding the AWs abused him. I've seen nothing at all about such a resposte from the Qatari.
Interesting that the Qataris obviously didn't stand down Abdurisag for the Haiti game. Even though FIFA will be reviewing his actions from last week. By Imanix's logic he could have been firing off the word n*gger left right & centre - and the Haitians would have been swell with it. Vamos Honduras.
Edit - oh and the CONCACAF Gold Cup is every 2 years. Hopefully we are a chance of being invited to the 2025 version. Most confederations will be busy with 2026 WC qualifying. If there is any Confed that could be quiet in June 2026 it's OFC.