Rugby player suspended for striking referee

Press, 9 May 1979, Page 42

Rugby player suspended for striking referee

A Sydenham under 19 rugby player was suspended for the rest of the season for striking a referee when he appeared before the Canterbury Rugby Union’s judicial committee last evening. The judicial committee chairman (Mr J. O. Hattersley) reported that the player, Craig Millar, struck the referee as he was leaving the field, last Saturday, after being ordered off for foul play and misconduct. “We view this matter very seriously and have conducted a full inquiry into it,” said Mr Hattersley. “The player has been told he is not to play again this season and it is only his age that has saved him from a longer term.”

Earlier in the same game, two other players, G. Bull (Sydenham) and B. Ryan (Marist) haff been ordered off for misconduct Bull was suspended until after May 19 and Ryan until after May 26.

Suspensions as follows were placed on other players ordered off last Saturday.—l. Brown (Ohautahi senior B), until after May 26; D. Bodger (Shirley second grade), May 19; N. Street (Bumside under 20), May 12; and C. Johnston (Bumside under 20), May 19. The chairman (Mr R. W, Thomas) said it was ffisappointing to have so many orderings off and, more especially, to have a case of a referee being struck. “This is something

that will not be tolerated,” he said. The refere&s’ representative, Mr K. J. Columbus, said referees in some grades were being subjected to abuse from coaches during games. Three referees haff retired because of this. “It is mainly in the lower grades that this is happening, although I must say we have had an apology from one club responsible. This club has given an assurance that the behaviour will be stopped,” said Mr Columbus. At Mr Thomas's suggestion, it was decided to write to all clubs in Canterbury calling for them to take steps to ensure that referees did not have to put up with abuse.