S. African decision upsets French

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33712, 9 December 1974, Page 34

S. African decision upsets French

(N.Z. Press Assn—Copyright) PARIS.

The French Rugby Federation is “terribly upset” by the refusal of the South African Government to allow France to play a multiracial team on its tour next June.

Mr A. Ferrasse, the federation president, said that the request had been made for such a match to try to ease “a delicate problem.” The turning down of the proposal "has terribly upset us, but it is not for me to interfere in the internal affairs of another country," Mr Ferrasse said. “However, it cannot stop us drawing our own conclusions.” TALKS SOON

The French federation, which had been sunder severe pressure from anti-apartheid groups during the Springbok tour which ended last week, is expected to meet soon to discuss the South African decision.

In Cape Town, the chairman of the South African Rugby Board (Dr Danie

Craven) said that the Government decision was conveyed to him by Mr J. J. Loots, acting Minister of Sports in the absence overseas of Dr Piet Koomhof. “I was told that the matter would be raised at a Cabinet meeting but I now understand from the secretary of the Department of Sport that Mr Loots took it upon himself to make the decision. “He must have consulted some people on the subject,” Dr Craven said. POLICY DECISION No official reasons for the refusal have been given but, acording to a pro-Government Afrikaans newspaper, the two main points were that “it was not in the national interest to field mixed Rugby teams, and that the Government would not be pressurised by any country or institution to change its internal policies.” In terms of Dr Koomhofs

"evolving” sports policy which allows an increasing amount of integration at international level, all sports except Rugby and cricket are now allowed to select international teams on merit. “If the Government sees a request by the South African Rugby Board and the French Rugby Federation as a dictatorial move, then there is no logic in this conclusion,” Dr Craven said.