Soccer ‘ban’ ridiculed

Press, 28 May 1981, Page 28

Soccer ‘ban’ ridiculed

NZPA Sydney Australian soccer leaders yesterday ridiculed suggestions that the Socceroos could still qualify for the World Cup finals in Spain because of a possible ban on New Zealand over the coming Springbok rugby tour. The A.S.F. president, Sir Arthur George, said yesterday that he knew nothing of this proposal and could not see any problems arising. The suggestions came in the Australian weekly publication, “Soccer World, this week.

“If it did arise, then as Oceania and Australian president, I would fight to see. that New Zealand’s rights , were maintained,” Sir Arthur said.

“Soccer World” quoted a Kuwaiti F.A. official, Shaik Al-Zayad Al Ahmed, as say-

ing that Kuwait might consider asking F.I.F.A. to ban New Zealand if the Springboks’ tour proceeds.

An official of the Football Association of the, People's Republic of China also told the journal that F.I.F.A. should suspend New Zealand, as China would be unlikely to compete against New Zealand if it maintained sporting contacts with South Africa.

New Zealand plays its second-last qualifying match this week-end in Aucklanu when it meets Taiwan, and a win will automatically place it in the Asian zone play-off against Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and China. Middle East and African nations are opposed to South Africa’s racial policies, and in the past have withdrawn from sporting tours involving countries which have hosted

South African teams. A furore arose in the West Indies earlier this year over an English cricketer, Robin Jackman, who has played in South Africa, causing some matches against the touring English team to be abandoned.

Earliier this week, the West Indies further announced that they may not be able to accept a touring New Zealand cricket team if the South African rugby tour was allowed to continue.

The A.S.F. secretary, Brian le Fevre, yesterday hoped that New Zealand soccer would not be affected, because it had won its matches fair and square. “It would be a tragedy if through no fault of their own, they were not allowed to compete in the next scheduled round,” he said.

Mr le Fevre said there had been some casual mention in the past about sporting contacts with South Africa, and it had been discussed informally at a F.I.F.A. meeting.

• “It could come that Australia may be affected, as well as the rest of Oceania, in a long-term view. A hypothetical day could arise when F.I.F.A. could advise New Zealand they are no longer eligible to play because of their South African links,” said Mr le Fevre. “To take it one step further, if there were enough protests from other nations, Australia and the rest of Oceania could also be barred because they played against New Zealand,” he said. Mr Le Fevre added that he hoped any such situation involving Oceania would be a long time away.