Use of barbed wire dismissed as crazy

Press, 12 November 1981, Page 36

Use of barbed wire dismissed as crazy

PA Auckland Suggestions that barbed wire will be used as a means of controlling the crowd , at the World Cup soccer match between New Zealand and Saudi Arabia have been dismissed as “crazy.” Speaking on his return from Melbourne with the New Zealand team yesterday, the director of the New Zealand World Cup committee, Mr Charlie Dempsey, said there would be no need to go too such lengths to satisfy the sport’s ruling body, F.I.F.A. “What we have to do is assure F.I.F.A. that we have tightened security at Mount Smart and that there will not be a repetition of the disturbances at the game against Kuwait. “I will be having discussions with the police again tomorrow and will also be looking to the clubs to pro-

vide a certain number of officials to help. We are in the big league now and have to act accordingly.” Of the $6675 fine imposed by F.I.F.A. after the Kuwait game, he said: “We got off lightly — and they will be looking for it to be paid pretty smartly.” On the question of the report on the referee. Mr Dempsey said: “We won’t see it. That will remain confidential.” The New Zealand squad returned a little battlescarred after their two games in Victoria. The team's captain, Steve Sumner, said that, in the first game in particular, their opponents had a “win at all costs attitude” and “charged in like mad things.” In that game, won, 2-1, byNew Zealand over Victoria, Sumner, as an example, turned and played the ball

away and was then chopped from behind at knee level. “But over all it. was an interesting exercise,” said Sumner. “Some of the players obviously needed the work — and got it. "We did some experimenting, particularly in looking to improve our attacking play. We were handicapped in having to play both games without Steve Wooddin but still tried to use a 4-3-3 formation. “It may well come down to a question of goal difference in the final analysis, so we must look to knock in goals." Of the reported remarks of the Victorian coach who said the New Zealand team would struggle for a place in the middle of the Philips League, Sumner said: “I think he just wanted to get his name in the paper. After all, we beat the best in Australia, 2-0.”