SOCCER CRISIS.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 138, 13 June 1928, Page 13

SOCCER CRISIS.

THISTLE WITHDRAW, RETIRAL FROM COMPEIITIONS. SEQUEt TO BELMONT MATCH. DRAMATIC DECISION AT LATE HOUR.

A grave crisis in the. affairs, of the Auckland Football Association was precipitated at a late hour last night, when the Thistle Club announced its withdrawal from the competitions under the jurisdiction of the A.F.A. This decision was conveyed to the Management Committee by Mr. Pickering, bhairman of the Thistle Management, : and Mr. McArthur, secretary, jits't after ten o'clock, when . the A.F.A. Management had completed the business of the evening.

The decision of Thistle, should it be acted upon, will be a severe blow to the code in general, and cannot be ▼iewcd otherwise than In the light of a serious matter .from the point of view of the association, as Thistle, this season as well as have proved the most potent* draw in .the game in the city. The climax came as the outcome of unfortunate incidents in the match at Devonport last freek, when Thistle sustained their secbnd defeat' of the reason, and by the team at the bottom of the competition, Belinont. During tiie progress of the game M. Kay, Thistle's outside-left, was ordered to the pavilion by the referee, Mr. I. M. Wilson, and last night by the Judicial Committee Kay was suspended for two playing Saturdays on a charge of disputing the referee's decision.

The Judicial Committee of the A.F.A. it nothing if not a Star Chamber tribunal, its deliberations being in secret, and not open to the Press. This body was constituted at the last annual meeting of the Association, and is at the present time more or less in the experimental stage. It is comprised of a representative elected "by the clubs, Mr. R. Takle, a representative of the Management Committee of the A.F.A., Mr. Baker, and a representative appointed by the Referees' Association, Mr. Bookliss, and the main qualification for appointment is acknowledged impartiality. The findings of the Judicial Committee, based on evidence adduced, are forwarder} to the Management Committee of the A.F.A. in the shape of recommendations. These, on being adopted, are forwarded to the New Zealand Council for final confirmation or otherwise, an epitome of each case accompanying- tha-. derision* of the A.F.A.. .So far as the case of" Kay is concerned, the exact nature of his disputing of the referee's decision, that is to say, the language used, has not been disclosed. A player is allowed to ask a referee for an explanation of a decision, but cannot dispute the ruling- There is strong support for tm Thistle Club and for the player fatt that last night not only were»practically all his clubmates in attendance to give evidence, but the accredited and authorised delegate of the Belmont Club asked permission to testify, in favour ,of the Thistle player. ' / Thistle's complaint, farther than the incident of the oirdering off of Kay, and representatives of the club management and -ttibißjb of the senior team waitcfd on the management of the A.F.A. last nijpht Reputation regarding the control of- the .Belmont game in And on the matter of re freeing in gtii&aih It Wa» contended that on Saturday the clvfb w%s Repeatedly, and it is alleged deliberately, denied its rights.; Behind their complaint is an Alleged personal disagreement w ith the referee in. question, who was formerly a Thistle player.' J,. Direct A<jtion'. The withdrawal ofThistle from the Association, howeveiry following the suspension of Kay, is- the employment of direct action against seelsjng constitutional remedy. The decision .to withdraw may, have been come to precipitately, when the officials and, players who were at the headquarters of the A.F.A. last night were smarting under what was considered a/gross miscarriage of justice. Front a. cl*b point of view it is doubtful if *uch a drastic action can be taken without a duly called and constituted general meeting of the members. Apart from that domestic aspect, however, is the phase that, granted that Thistle wished to protest, against the suspension of Kay, it has its remedy in another direction, that is,-in an appeal to the New Zealand Council, who have the right to reverse any finding of an affiliated body after hearing the evidence brought by any player or club. Allowing that Thistle were able to show that the control of the game was at fault, and the fact that their opponents were prepared to support the cause of the player, indicates that the Scots may have had ground for complaint, their action in dramatically withdrawing from the competitions in the middle of the season when they know that the code badly requires all the support it can get, is the more to be regretted. As has been stated the evidence on which the Jndicial Committee based their is unknown to any • but those concerned, in the secret conclave, but such action as the Thistle have taken when there was a clearly defined and constitutional road to rectitude, rather tends to alienato support and sympathy the club might otherwise have held. If the decision of the Teferee were disputed Kay has not been harshly dealt with, for he last night made his second appcarance before the Judicial Committee for verbal exchanges with referees, in the light of which two playing Saturdays is far from excessive. The surrounding condition s, however, cannot be overlooked, and the. precipitate actionof the club in! withdrawing has debarred anything further id the nature of an inquiry into the club's allegations, and the control of the match in general being under? taken. If, as the club alleges, the referee was incompetent, it is a great pity they did not take the constitutional method of bringing this fact to the knowledge ti tfra £0«rt» that be.

The Management Committee of the " , on beil, o informed by the spokesmen of the club of the drastic decision, had no option, but to alter the grounds for Saturday. It is hoped that ere then wiser and calmer counsels will prevail, and that Thistle management, after consulting their club members at a general meeting will see. the wisdom of adopting the legal course for redress if, as they contend, they can show that there has been a miscarriage of justicc.

AUCKLAND AFFAIRS.

MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE. The Management Committee of the A.F.A. met last night, Mr. R. P. Harrison presiding in the unavoidable absence of the chairman, Mr. A. Menzies. Mellor, of Onehunga, was regraded from senior to second grade at*his own request, and a transfer was granted to D. I>ow, of Shore, to Belmont, subject to <the necessary formalities being complied with ; also K. O. Probert, Belmont, to North Shore; W. J. Wilford, Rangers, to Ponsonby, and Jessop, of Eden Rovers, to Kiwi. The question of payment of insurance to players injured was raised by the delegates. Mr. T. G. Wilkes and Mr. H.. Reason explained that the machinery of the scheme was all but in working order. They explained that some clubs were in arrears with their payments, while in the case of some injured players their medical certificates were incomplete. It was hoped, however, that within a week something definite would be available.

Three entries, Onehunga, Ponsonby and Tramways, were received lor the Falcon Cui>. Entries "close next Tuesday. A deputation from the Thistle Club reuested that greater care should be exercised in the appointment of referees for the senior jrrade jyames. It was decided to take the matter up with the Referees* Association. The referee's report that the Thistle teaih was 20 minutes late In taking the field for Saturday's game was disputed by the club. The appeal entered by the Onehunga Club agaiqst the four weeks' suspension Imposed on Terry by the judicial committee was dismissed. J. Edmonds, of Comrades, was suspended for two playing Saturdays for rough play, and Kay, of the Thistle Club, wm also suspended for two Saturdays for disputing the referee's decision In the game against Belmont on Saturday. *

SATURDAY'S FIXTURES. Following are the fixtures for Saturday next SENIOR GRADE. Onehunga v. Thistle, Onehunga, 3 p.m., Mr. J. Low; Y M.C.A. v. Tramways, Blandford Park, 3 p.m., Mr. A. Parkinson; Ponsonby v. Bslnonf, Blandford Park, 1.30 p.m., Mr. It. H. Parfltt; Northcote v. North Shore, Northcote, 3 p.m., Mr. C. Downed SECOND GRADE A. North Shore y. Rangers, Devonport, No 2 3 p-m., Mr. J. Campbell; Onehunga v. Manurewa, Onehunga, No. 2, 3 p.m., Mr. B. J. Brooks; Tamaki v. Takanini, Outer Domain, No. 1, 3 p.m.,- Mr. W. K. Tugby ; Ponsonby A v. Newmarket, Domain, No. 1, 3 p m., Mr. T. Harding; Thistle, a bye. SECOND GRADE B. Kiwi v. Corinthians, Domain, No. 2, 3 p.m., Mr. J. M. Wilson; Northcote v Philomel; 'Northcote, 2 p.m., Mr. T. G. Wilkes; Birkenhead v. New I,ynn, Victoria Park, No. 1, 3 p.m., Mr. E. Parkinson; Ponsonby v. Metropolitan, Victoria Park, No 2, 3 p.m., Mr. A: Galley; Glen Eden, a bye. THIRD GRADE OPEN. , Swanson t. Y.M.C.A., Swanson, 3 p.m., Mr. R. Wood; Ponsonby v. Takanini, TakanlnL 3 p.m., Mr. A. W. Bennett; New Lynn v. II ■pin ii I New Lynn, 3 p.m jt. j. ChiwrT Birkenhead v. W.Y.M.1., Ohf»; Domain, No. 2, 3 p.m., Mr. H. G. Crockery Mount Albert, a bye; Tamaki, a bye. V THIRD GRADE INTERMEDIATE. Burnley ▼. Comrades, Victoria Park, No. 1, 2 p.m., Mr: E. Parkinson; Y M.C-A-.v. Belmont, Devonport, No. 1, 3 p.m., Mr. Doree; Eden Rovers v. Kiwi, Monnt Albert, 1.45 p.m., Mr. E.. P. Miller; North Shore v. All Saints'., Devonport,. No. 2, 2 p.m., Mr. P. la. Hatter; Mount Albert v. Ponsonby B, Mount Albert, 3 p.m., Mr. ». P. Miller; Rangers v. Ponsonby A, Domain, No. 1, 2 pSu., Mr. A. J. Ball. . FOURTH GRADE. A Section.—Glen Eden v. Comrades A, Glen Eden, 2 p.m., Mr. P. Wiggs; North Shore y Y.M.C.A. A, Otter Domain, No. 1, 2 p.m., Mr. H. G. Crocker; Tamaki v. Belmont, Outer Domain, No. 2, 2 p.m., Mr. K. P. Scott; Eden Rovers, a bye. • B Section. —Burnley v. Comrades B, Victoria Park, No. 2, 2 p.m., Mr. A. Galley; Onehunga v. Birkenhead, Domain, No 2, 2 p.m., Mr. F. Bates; Y.M.C.A. B v. New Lynn, New Lynn, 2 p.m., Mr. L. J. Check.

FIFTH GRADE. A Section. —Carlton v. Tamakl, Domain, No. X, 1 p.m , Mr. J. Ball; Birkenhead A v. Comrades A," Victoria Park, No. 1, 1 p.m., Mr. N. Fritb: Belmont v. North Shore, Devonport, No. 2, 2 p.m., Mr. Stinton; YJJ.C.A. A, a bye. B Section. —Swansoo v. Onehnnga, Swan■on. 2 p.m," Mr. A. Perris; W.Y.M.I. r. Y.M,C_A. B,' Onter Domain, No. 1, 1 p.m., Mr. F. R. Wilson; All Saints' v. Comrade® B, Victoria. Park, No. 2, 1 p.m., Mr. A. JlcGarry; St. Stephen's V. Birkenhead B, Onter Domain, No. 2, 1 p m., Mr. G. Mallard SIXTH GRADE. A Section. —North Shore v. Tamaki. Domain No.. I,'noon, Mr. J. Bull; Carlton r. Belmont, Domain No. 2, noon, Mr. G. T. Lee; Comrades A v. Y.M.C.A. A, Victoria Park No. 1, noon, Mr. M. Hayes; Mount Albert Grammar School, a bye. B Section. —Mount Albert Grammar School B V. All Saints', Outer Domain, No. 1, noon, Mr. F. R. Wilson; Y.M.C.A. B ▼. Comrades B, Victoria Park, No. 2, noon, Mr. A. McGarry; W.Y.M.1., a bye. SEVENTH GRADE. Section A.—Belmont v. YJM.C.A. A, Domain, No. 1, 11 a.m., Mr. C. ®. Downes; Comrades A t. North Shore, Victoria Park, No. 1, li a.m., Mr. F. Dobeil; Carlton, a bye. Section B. —Y.M.C.A. B •v. Metropolitan, Onter Domain, No. 1, 11 a.m., Mr. G. Allen: Comrades B v. Tamakl, Victoria Park, No. 2, 11 a.m., Mr. O. Donaldson; Belmont v. W.Y.M.1., Domain, No. 2, 11 Mn„ Mr. G. T. Lee. SECONDARY SCHOOLS GAMES. Senior Grade. —Mount Albert Grammar School B v. St. Stephen's, Domain,' No. 2, 10 a.m., Mr. L. J. Check; Technical By. Mount Albert Grammar School A, Outer Domain. No. 1, 10 a.m., Mr. L. Campbell; Auckland Grammar' School v. Technical A, Domain, No. 1, 10 a.m., Mr. A. Bowie. Junior Grade. —Technical B v. Mount Albert Grammar School B, Outer Domain, No. 1, 9 a.m., Mr. L. Campbell: Mount Albert Grammar School A v Takapuna Grammar School. Domain, No. 1, 9 a.m., Mr. A. Bowie; Technical C v. Auckland Grammar Sehool, Outer Domain, No. 2, 9 a.m., Mr. G. Mallard; Northcdte Junior High School v. Kowhai Junior High School, Outer Domain, No. 2, 10 a.m., Mr. G. Mallard; Technical A v. Mount Albert Grammar School C, Domain, No. 2, » a.m-t Mr. L. J. Check.

PRIMAJRY SCHOOLS GAMES. Senior A Section.—St. Helier's v. Grey Lynn, Outer Domain, No, 1, 8.15 p.m., Mr. F. Bridges; Kowhai ▼. Newton Central, Onter Domain, No. 2, 4 p.m., Mr. G. Pitketbley; Grafton t. Newmarket, Outer Domain, No. 3, 4 p.m., Mr. Riddolls; Onehunga v. Newton West, Outer Domain, No. 1, 4 p.m., Mr. T. Bridges. Senior B Sectiorf. —Beresford Street v. Richmond Road, Victoria Park. No. 2, 4 'p.m., Mr. L. J. 'Check; Belmont v. Vauxhall. Victoria Park; No. 1, 3.15 p.m., Mr. O. Donaldson; Ponsonby v. Stanley Bay, Victoria Park. No. 2, 3.15 p.m., Mr.. L. J. Check; Bayfield v. Richmond West, Victoria Park, No. 3, 4 p.ri!#, Mr. G. Mallard. Junior A Section. —KowhSi v. Onehunga, Outer Domain, No. 2, 3.18 .p.m., Mr. G. Pitketbley; Grafton v. Wellesley Street, Outer Domain, No. 3, 3.15 p.m., Mr. Riddolls; Richmond Koad, a bye. Junior B Section. —Devonport B v. Stanley Bay,' mntnal arrangements; Belmont v. Bayfield, Victoria Park, No. 1, 4 p.m., Mr. O. Donaldson; Devonport A v. Ponsonby, Vkrtoria Park, No, 3, 8.16 p.m., Me. a, Mallard.

PRIMARY SCHOOLS. "COMPETITION RESULTS. ; The results in yesterday's gamps in the Primary School competitions were as follows :— . SENIOR A. St. Heller's 2, beat Newmarket 0. Grafton 2, drew with Grey Lynn 2. Onehunga 2, beat Newton Central 0. Kowhai 4, beat Newton West 0. SENIOR B. Bayfield 3, beat Vauxhall 0. • Richmond Road 3. beat Ponsonby 1. Be)inont 4, beat Richmond West 0. JUNIOR A. Grafton 2, beat Onehunga 1. Welleeley Street 2. beat Richmond Road 0. JUNIOR B. Devonport A 4, beat Bayfield 0. Ponsonby 9, beat Deronport B 0.

Belmont 7, beat Stanley Bay 0.

SOUTH AUCKLAND MATTERS. HAMILTON, Tuesday. . An animated discussion regarding a selection committee for tlje representative teams for the present season ensued at last evening? s meeting of the South Auckland committee, and resulted in a proposal that three members be elected. Messrs. Cox, Baillle and Cook headed the ballot. The Hawke's Bay Football Association has accepted June 30, the date offered bv the South Auckland Football Association for a match for the Brown Shield. The visitors will arrive in Hamilton the day before the game. The draw for the Chatham Cup competition Is: —June 16: Huntly v. Huntly Thistle; Pukemiro Junction, a bve. Juut' 23: Huntly or Huntly Thistle v. Pukemiro Junction.

District championship matches for Saturday were arranged as follows : —Glen Massey v. Wanderers, Mr. Muir; Pukemiro Junction v. Pukemiro, Mr. Wallace; Frankton Railways v. Claudelands Rovers, Mr. Baillie.