DISQUALIFIED FOR LIFE.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 19910, 23 April 1930, Page 16

DISQUALIFIED FOR LIFE.

SOCCER PLAYER'S APPEAL.

EVIDENCE MUST BE IN WRITING.

Stating that he had fresh evidence to. offer, W. Crookston applied by letter to the executive of the Canterbury Football Association last evening for a rehearing of his case, which was dealt with five years ago, when he was disqualified for life for insulting conduct to a member of the executive. Tho writer added that he would be waiting outside the meeting place to hear the executive's decision on his application. Mr A. W. Sellers said that he thought tho case should bo re-heard. The circumstances were that Crookston was one of a team that had walked olf the field during a match. It was a wet miserable day and probably the tempers of the players were frayed. With the exception of two players, of whom Crookston was one, the team had returned to the field. Tho matter was reported to the C.F.A., and the two players were suspended for a year, while tne captain, from whom a team naturally took its orders, got off scot free. Crookston felt aggrieved that he had not had an opportunity of stating his case, and in a hasty moment had used some vile language to Mr R. English. "I do not for a moment condono such language," remarked Mr Sellers, "but to-day Crookston is a sorry man and an older man. Moreover, he has three boys coming on. He was given no opportunity of defending himself and when he heard the decision he used that bad language to Mr English and was put out for life."

Members' Ultimatum. . A discussion followed as to whether Crookston's evidence was likely to be fresh. Was the committee satisfied that the evidence would bo fresh ? It was claimed that Crookston should have stated in his letter what his fresh evidence was, otherwise there were no means of knowing whether his claim was genuine. "The Nomads Club wants players," declared Mr Sellers. "Crookston is a player and he has three boys coming on. I consider that he is no more a culprit than tho captain who got oif scot free was. This is a sporting body and sports give fair play. We should give him a chance." "He did get a hearing," Mr English asserted. "In justice to Crookston and his boys he should not be allowed to play Association football. The matter has been thoroughly gone into and dealt with, and I wish to say" that if Mr Crookston is connected with Association football as a player, T will lonve this committee. I could not possibly attend." Mr F. Bennett: I would like to endorse that, and if we are going to entertain this thing I will" walk out, too. 'l'lie ultimatum delivered by Mr English and Mr Bennett created a problem with which tho executive grappled vainly for a while, until Mr English moved that Crookston be advised that any fresh evidence would have to bo placed in writing. This motion was seconded and carried unanimously.