Soccer Ethics Of Decision On Suspensions

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30040, 26 January 1963, Page 17

Soccer Ethics Of Decision On Suspensions

(NJZ. Press Association—Copyright)

LONDON, January 24. “I shall never understand the ethics of sport,” said the “Daily Mirror” sports columnist, Peter Wilson, today in a sharp attack on the International Football Federation’s decisions on the Australian and South African Soccer bans.

The federation announced yesterday that South Africa’s suspension had been lifted unconditionally but that the Australian ban remained in force. Wilson said: “Australia got the old heave-ho originally because some of the clubs there had a rather free and easy way of signing on new Australians." Poaching, Pigmentation “I agree that poaching is highly reprehensible,” he said. “But, so help me, it doesn’t compare in my criminal calendar with the exclusion from sport of the bulk of a country’s population because they have more pigmentation in their skin than you have.’’ Reuters reported from Johannesburg the lifting of the international ban on South African Soccer got a mixed reception locally. Some officials were doubtful about the F.I.F.A. committee’s decision to send an African team to South Africa "as a test.” Mr Fred Fell, president of the South African Football Association (FAS.A.) said: Tm afraid that just can’t h ppen. Any team which had plans would have first to be invited by FASA or by some other club or association with the permission of F.ASA.. “However, that does not mean to say we don’t want Africans or any other nonwhite team to toUr South Africa. Government authorities told us a long time ago permission would be given for non-white teams to tour

South Africa provided these tours are conducted with the permission of F.A.S.A. who are the senior soccer body in South Africa.” Under present Government rules, white and non-whites may not participate together on any sporting or social occasion. Non-white Clubs Mr Fell said: “Now that several non-white associations have affiliated with us we shall readily give them permission to negotiate a tour either to or from South Africa and we shall give them every assistance. “With the lifting of the suspension I see no reason why soccer should not make great strides among whites and non-whites alike. Lifting of the suspension means F.A.S.A. and its affiliated associations will be able to go full-steam ahead planning tours to and from South Africa.” South African Olympic organisations welcomed the lifting of the suspension, saying it augured well for the future of South Africa in Olympic Games. But non-white football associations did not agree with the decision. Mr George Singh, life member of the South African Soccer Federation, a non-white organisation, said: “The Football Association of South Africa has nothing to be proud or jubilant about because, as the position prevails at present, non-whites are denied fundamental rights and privileges which are enjoyed by sportsmen all over the world.”