FOOTBALL

Auckland Star, Volume XLIX, Issue 244, 12 October 1918, Page 14

FOOTBALL

ASSOCIATION.

FAIXON CUP FINAL.

(To the Sports Editor.)

Sir,—The story of a. disallowed goal in the Falcon Cup tinal, as told by the secretary of the Wild Rose Club is a typical example of the saying, " Ont tale is good till another's told." Aβ a spectator at Die match, and being in an excellent position to see the alleged goal, it is a definite incontrovertible fact that tho ball ■vas deliberately, wilfully punched Jirough by a Wild Rose player. This nay or may not be within the know.edge of the Wild Rose players, but the .nan who was guilty of such a deliberate infraction of the" law, should know. Apart from the laws of the game it was, therefore, but simple justice that the score was not allowed. Law 4 says: " A goal shall be scored when the ball has passed between the goal posts under the bar, not being thrown, knocked on, nor carried, by any player of the opposing sitio."' This is chapter and verse, "■proving" that Wild Rose were not legally entitled to a goal, whether allowed or not by the referee. Your correspondent definitely states that it ie "absolutely a breach of the laws" for " the referee to change his decision." Really, and why may not the referee change his decision, when, on page 25 of the laws, it is laid down that "When th<« referee has once given his decision, and play has been resumed, he may not alter it." Note the italics, from which it is clear that he may change his decision, but always previous to a resumption of play, but not after. Play had not been resumed on the occasion under notice. Turning to the linesmen, and their action, the gentleman -who drew the attention of the referee to the fact that th'» ball was punched through was carrying out his duties to the letter. Regarding the other official, I distinctly heard him oay that " he did not see what took place." On page 24 of the laws an illuminating ruling on the duties of the linesmen is given by the council of the English Football Association. "A linesi man is justified by Law 14 in directing the referee's attention to distinct breaches of the law which have come under his notice, and which he is satisfied the referee could not see."

This effectually disposes of any injustice under which Wild Rose imagine they are suffering; and to prevent further erroneous ideas as to the laws of the game. I believe the latter may be purchased for the sum of twopence. Certainly they require a little study, but any gentleman undertaking the duties of secretary to such a well-known club as the Wild Rose should have them at his fingers' ends before accusing hardworking and long-suffering officials of breaches of the laws. The referee is to be admired for having the courage to change his decision, his only error being in giving a goal-kick to restart the game, instead of a free kick for hands against Wild Rose on the goal-line where " hands " took pbce. And finally, on the day's play, North Shore fully 'deserved their victory.—l am. etc.

F. C. JACOBS, (Ex-chairman Auckland Football Association.)