Youth admits throwing can

Press, 28 October 1981, Page 5

Youth admits throwing can

PA Auckland A youth, aged 16, who threw a can after a referee’s decision during the New Zea-land-Kuwait soccer game appeared at the Children and Young Persons’ Court at Auckland yesterday. He had earlier admitted a charge of disorderly behaviour. Another charge of assaulting the referee, Mr Hardjowasito Sudarso, was withdrawn by the police because the referee had left New Zealand and could not give evidence. Defence counsel, Mr D. Mathias, told the Court the youth had been filling the can with dirt during the game. On the decision of the referee, he had run onto the field intending to throw the can at the referee. No-one had tried to stop

him. As he got closer he instead threw the can in the general direction of the referee, intending to miss him.

The incident caused a 10minute delay which reduced the goalkeeper’s chances of saving the penalty, said Mr Mathias.

The behaviour provoked letters of condemnation to newspapers : which brought home to the youth the foolishness of his actions, he said.

Judge Gilliand said the behaviour was irresponsible and exhibitionist. It was a serious matter and the youth had to realise he had obligations to other people. He remanded the youth to the District Court for a probation report and sentence on November 10, which he said, would be after the youth’s seventeenth birthday.