FOOTBALL INCIDENT

Evening Star, Issue 19004, 28 July 1925, Page 9

FOOTBALL INCIDENT

+ ■ CARRIED AWAY BY EXCITEMENT The referee (Rev. AV. B. Scott) in tlio Pirates-Y.M.C.A. second grade match at the Oval on Saturday, July 18, Air T. O’Shea (representing the Y.AEC.A. Club), and Dunne (an emergency for the Y.AEC.A. team* who had been reported by the referee for using insulting language) appeared before the mooting of the committee of (he Otago Rugby Union last ni< r hf. The referee said Dunne had evidently been carried away by the. excitement and the turn in the tide of battle against Y.AEC.A., and forgot himself, as some of the other spectators did. Dunne was more easily picked nut, however, because ho was in football attire. Air Scott went on to say that he was exceedingly sorry to have to report Dunne; it was the first time he had reported anybody for the past twelve years. Dunne had apologised to him very handsomely, and he would baud in his letter for the consideration of the committee. He thought Dunne had been sufficiently punished in connect inn with the matter. Dunne had fold him that he (the referee) could not have done anything else, and that was a very manly statement io make. Air Scott said he, had also to object strongly to the criticisms of one of the lino umpires, both at half-time and again after the match was finished. Ho thought his conduct had something to do with the way the spectators had conducted themselves. ■' Dunne expressed In’s regret for the occurrence, and said his conduct would not he repeated. The referee, Dunne, and Afr O’Shea having retired, the committee considered the ease. Air J. C. Stephens said he would like to raise a. question of policy. He did not. think the finding of the committee should he considered in open meeting. They would onlv he following the practice of all judicial bodies. He thought the evidence should be taken in open meeting, but tlio finding should be come to in committee. Afr Harris thought the committee should deal with the matter in public. Tie thought the public should know all in connection with such n matter. A motion to go into committee was defeated. After a short discussion it was decided—“ That as Dunne has apologised to the referee, and has already been dealt with by the Y.AI.C.A. Club, the committee take no further action, and that Dunne’s name be placed on the cautioned list.”