SOCCER INCIDENT

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 28, 2 August 1934, Page 14

SOCCER INCIDENT

A GAME AT LOWER HUTT

PLAYERS SUSPENDED

An incident which' occurred during the course of an Association football match between Nada- and ; Lower Hutt at the Hutt Recreation Ground last Saturday, had its sequel at -a meeting of the management committee of the Wellington Football Association last night, when the two players concerned were suspended until tho end of the 1934 season.

The referee (Mr. J. W. Graham), ia his report to the committee, said that he ordered Ronald, Nada' left full-back, and Brown, Lower Hutt centre-forward, off the field for fighting. Ronald had tho ball, and Brown charged him off it. The charge was qiiite in Order. Ronald must have thought otherwise, and. struck ■ Brown, nad before be.'(the referee) could intervene Brown had returned the blow. Both players were then ordered off the field. The refereeadded that the game was played in a' most friendly spirit and'both of the offending players had until then played good, clean Soccer. At no earlier stage of the game did he find fault with tho play of either. .The two players and the referee appeared before the committee and wera asked to give their versions of thi» affair. Brown appeared with his head bandaged, and stated that he had received a wound in the match which had necessitated the insertion of six stitches. Eonald denied striking Brown with! his fist, and said that when Brown first' charged him he (Brown) had ' said, "How do you like that one;" After that he charged Brown. Ronald contended that Brown's wound had been caused by his head striking Ronald' 3 when he was charged. He could not remember being struck by Brown, but his jaw felt sore on the Sunday morning. Brown stated that he was charecA down, and was getting on to his feet when he was either struck or kicked, and ho immediately retaliated. He did not see who struck him, but he took Ronald to be the person. When he got to his feet he was half dazed, and had no clear recollection of the events. Some discussion took place on the question whether the wound on Brown's head could have been caused by a blow from a fist or not. It was suggested that perhaps in the fall Brown's head might have come into contact, with Ronald 's boot. The'referee agreed that this was possible, but stated that he was certain he saw the blow struck. After a lengthy consideration of tha statements made by the persons concerned, it was decided to suspend both, players until the end of the present season. ' ■ . ■

The chairman (Mr. W. B. Picks) expressed the regret of the committee at the occurrence, and said it was hoped' that there would be no more complaint! of a similar nature in the future.