TURNED DOWN

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 50, 27 August 1925, Page 16

TURNED DOWN

SOCCER PLAYER'S APPEAL.

An appeal against the decision of the Wellington Football Association in regard to Logic, of Scottish Wanderers, was received by the W.F.A. last evening. Logic was suspended from playing for life, and warned off all Soccer fields for five years for striking the referee after the V.M.0.A.-Scottish Wanderers match on the Basin Eeserve recently.

The letter was written by Mr. A. J. Eggo, of the Scottish Wanderers' Club, who said he based his appeal on tlio following grounds: (1) The offence was committed by Logic in his capacity as a player—not as a spectator —while the decision punished him in both these capacities. "This, I maintain," he stated, "is not in accord with ordinary British justice. A man should not be tried tis a player, punished as such, and in addition punished in a capacity in which he had not offended. True justice will certainly make the punishment fit the crime, but will not be vindictive." The letter also referred to Logic's personal character, and stated that in the realm of spoi't or in ordinary life his character was without blemish. "This fact was apparently never considered when the case came before you last week, although in civil life the benefit of the First Offenders' Act can always be claimed," continued the letter, "bo that the offender may have a chance to redeem hisrnistake. Logic, the spectator, is never likely to lose his head to the extent which Logic the player did. I would ask you to reconsider the 'warning off' part of your decision, , and to this extent give Mr. Logic a chance." Bfr. S. Ferguson said he thought the decision had' been a "bit hard." His view was also held by Mr. W. Wilson. • ; The chairman (Mr. W. Duncan) said he was quite prepared to abide by the previous decision of the committee. The committee took no action in regar to the letter.