ASSOCIATION

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 198, 23 May 1928, Page 15

ASSOCIATION

PETONE CLUB AT BASIN

RESERVE

AN OFFICIAL PROTEST

In reference to the disturbance which took place ou the Basin Iteserve on Saturday, following the termination of the Association football match Y.M.C.A. v. Petone, when what appeared to be a demonstration against the referee, Hr. F. Sanders,, was made, Mr. J. Allan, of the Petone Club, yesterday gave the club's official version of what occurred. “The Dominion” report on Monday stated —“The first visit of Petone to the Basin Reserve this season ended in a double-barrelled disaster to them —defeat at the hands of Y.M.C.A. and a loss of prestige for their unsportsmanlike attitude towards the end of the game and while leaving the field of play. In the last minutes of the game two spectators, evidently Petone supporters, rushed on to the field and demonstrated with the referee, who firmly ordered them At file conclusion of the game Mr. F. Sanders wits subjected to a disgraceful demonstration and had to be escorted to the dressing-room.” Mr, Allan agreed that when Leslie was hurt two men did go on the field, and were ordered off by the referee, and said that they left without any further word. They did not understand that first-aid men or others must not go on the field of play until the referee gave the usual signal whistle. These two men happened to be the Petone trainers, and it was their concern for Leslie that made them run on to the field. As soon as the referee told them to leave they went without argument. So far as the “disgraceful demonstration" was concerned, said Mr. Allan, the Petone committee, players, and some supporters gathered round the referee to protect him and conduct him to the dressing room. Two of them received blows aimed at the referee by Wellington people. In the circumstances it was rather hard on the club to refer to its loss of prestige. Mr. Allan added that the referee went into the Petone dressing-room, shook hands with several of the men, and thanked them for what they had done, among them Messrs. Irvine. Barnsley, and himself. The matter may possibly be referred to at the meeting of the Management Committee to-night.