SOCCER.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 121, 25 May 1927, Page 13

SOCCER.

AUCKLAND MANAGEMENT.

A THISTLE PLAYER SUSPENDED.

NO INTERNATIONAL TOURNEY.

J. Christie, of the Thistle Football Club, was suspended for one playing day by the management committee of the Auckland Football Association last night on a charge of having intentionally kicked Woolley, a member of the North Shore team, during the course of Saturday's game between the two teams at Blandford Park. The referee, Mr. A. E. Parkinson, in flis report to the committee, stated that he ordered Christie off for kicking Woolley. The official and Christie were present at the inquiry. In reply to tlie chairman, Mr. Menries, Christie said he did not kick Woolley, but only jerked his leg in order to free it from Woolley's grip, the Shore player having gripped it between both his while on the ground. It was impossible for him to really kick Woolley in the position they were.

Mr. Parkinson, the referee, said that if, as alleged, Woolley was holding his leg Christie had his remedy: he could have appealed to 'him. It was the manner in which he drew his leg away that made him think it was a kick. A linesman stated there was every indication that there was a kick given. Woolley was, he thought, holding Christie to a certain extent. In reply to the chairman, the referee said Christie went off without a word or look. After the referee and player had lefi the room the committee further discussed the incident. The majority of the members who were present at the match and saw the incident, were agreed that Woolley was holding Christie, and that the Thistle player kicked the Shore man. Others contended that Christie only jerked his leg away. One member stated that the secretary of the Shore team had informed him that if the committee desired it. Woolley was prepared to come forward and say he was the culprit. It was pointed out that even if Woolley aggravated Christie, one wrong did not justify another. It was mentioned that Woolley was immediately afterwards cautioned for practically the same offence (holding h but the chairman said they had no report from the referee to that effect. The motion of suspension for one playing day was carried, an amendment that Christie be severely cautioned being lost. It was decided that Wool Icy should be brought before the committee next w£ek and account for his conduct in the match. This the chairman said would create a dangerous precedent. Explanation Accepted. The explanation of Mr. J. Lowe, rcferpp. who was asked to explain why lie failed to notify the committee that he was unable to officiate in a senior game until just before the start of play was accepted. Mr. Lowe said ho was ill in the morning and had been unable to get information to the committee. Y.M.C.A. notified the committee that they could not continue to field a tcsm in the second grade, and asked that certain players in consequence should be ragraded. Accordingly, the following were regraded: S. Gale, from senior to third grade. A. Birkenhead and S. Smith, second to third grade, and E. Farmer from third open to intermediate.

It was resolved that all teams having • bye in consequence of the withdrawal of Y.M.C.A. from the second grade should be granted both points. It was decided to play the first round of the Chatham Cup on June 3 and June 4, two games to be played each day. The Referees' Association reported that an examination of referees would be held next Tuesday in the Y.M.C.A. International Tourney Proposal. The N.Z.F.A. informed the committee that they did not consider the time opportune for th© holding of the proposed international SoeceT contest. contest. The Otago Council said that the "Star" writer's proposal was an ideal method of creating unprecedented enthusiasm among follower*, and expressed the iew. "It is quite apparent that no one was alive to the proposal set out in the newspaper cutting at a time when it would have been an easy matter to enter into negotiations with the Australian authorities."