SOCCER

Evening Star, Issue 21170, 2 August 1932, Page 6

SOCCER

AT VARIANCE JUNIOR CLUBS AND REFEREES SOCGER COMMITTEE'S DISCUSSIONS. Protests by clubs against referees constituted a serious matter on the agenda at last night's meeting of tho Management Committee of the Otago Football Association. Mr 3. Simpson presided, and there were also present Messrs A. Sharp, A. APLennan, J, Jeffrey. E. Ball, M. G. APinncs, A. Stevens, and M. Haig. FEELING IN SECOND GRADE. The Leith Club reported that Air A. Riach, referee in the Leith-Northern second division game, had placed his hands on Davidson and tried to push him down. Tactics such as the one mentioned were numerous during the match. Tho club strongly objected to Mr Riach officiating in any of its matches, as “ referees of this typo tend to kill junior football.” The main objections of the chib to Mr Riach- wore sot out as follows:—(1) Refereeing a game in which tho club of which bo is delegate is participating; (2) pinpricking tactics towards players, which tended to get young players excited and talkative; and (3) breaking one of tho main rules of refereeing by using bis bands to push players about.

Mr Sharp: The time is ripe for saying that no senior or junior clubs are to dictate as to who should bo referee. At the same time, 1 do not think that Mr Riach should have refereed a game in which Northern was playing.

The Chairman said that two other clubs also objected to Mr Riach as referee.

Mi- Ball s a id the protest seemed to him to be a hostile demonstration towards Air Riach. The committee should not take the matter any further. It seemed as if the clubs had Air Riach “ set.” Evidently tho Leith Club bad gone on to tho Bold biased against the referee.

Afr Sharp said that boos instead of dicers were given by Leith to the referee at the finish. There was nothing sporting about that. The remarks of a Leith official on the side line made the game more like a boxing match or a dog fight. A deputation from Leith stated that the club bail no desire to dictate to the 0.F.A., but tho dull would bo compelled in future to forfeit two [Joints in every match for which Afr Riach was appointed referee. The club’s motion of no confidence in Air Riach still held. They alleged that Air Riach was unfair after the O.F.A. officials had left flic side line. The dull asked that flic match be replayed under another referee. PLAYER SUSPENDED.

Mr Riach said that Davidson was the cause of the trouble. Ho talked like a gramophone throughout. He had pushed Davidson away when the player attempted to “ barge ” in when lie was measuring off a distance. Ho had v.aj'ned Davidson. A Leith player named J, I l ’. AVright bad used obscene language towards him after the match, ‘‘ J would not. be a referee for a gold watdi as big as a frying pan.” said Air Simpson.

AVright said lie probably had used the language comnlniiicd of. He was worked up. as bis opinion was that the referee was prejudiced in favour of Northern. Air Riach said it was unfortunate that he had to take the game, as lie endeavoured not to referee when Northern was playing. In games in which he had officiated Northern juniors had won two matches ami 10-t one, -and there had been ur> complaints. However. when two teams were so high in the competition it was better (lint a neutral referee should officiate. “ Too much bad language F being ir-od wifliin (be heaving of referees,” declared Air Stevens.

The committee decided to suspend Wright for two playing Saturdays, and he was severely reprimanded by the chairman. Mr Sharp said be would “ put the whole team up ” for booing the referee. It was not sportsmanship. A decision was made to write to tho Leith Club expressing the committee’s disapproval of the uugentlcmanly conduct. The committee decided that the result of. the match must stand. PLAYER’S EMPHATIC DENIAL. Mr F. A. Smythe, a substitute referee for the second division game, Roslyn v. Wakari-Port Chalmers, reported that during tho second spell he bad ordered oil: Harborne, the RoslynWakari goalie, for questioning bis decisions and using insulting remarks, and also for adopting a striking attitude towards him. The referee said that when ho was stopping the distance for a penalty kick .Harborne said “You might as well give them the match.” When he was ordered off ho “ shaped up.” Tho allegations wore denied in toto by the player, who said that he got the shock of his life when he was ordered olf. Conpland, the captain of the RoslynWaknri team, was called by the referee, but bo denied any knowledge of any of the incidents. “'This is the most remarkable ease we have bad,” said the chairman. “Here is the player denying everything. The referee surely would not order off a man without cause.” Mr Smythe nominated two further witnesses, and the committee decided to adjourn tho inquiry until next Monday night. Later a loiter was received from three officials of the Leith Club, who were waiting outside the committee room and wrote that tho official referee (Mr A. Knight) was absent on .Saturday, and the Port captain suggested that Mr Smytbe should control the game. The Roslyn . captain agreed, not knowing till later that Mr Smytbe was president of the Port Club. 'The Roslyn Club was very dissatisfied with tho rulings of the referee. The deputation from the club is to be heard when the inquiry into Harlinurno, who is also a member of the Referees’ Chib, is resumed. CRITJ.C.ISAI DEPLORED. ’When the Otago'team to meet Auckland next Saturday was being discussed, Mr Bell said he objected to criticism of the team when the visiting team was being boosted. It was detrimental to the Otago players. Mr Stevens: It is detrimental to the code. The Referees’ Club advised that Messrs AV. Wallace and J. Little bad boon appointed linesmen for the match. Reports were made that all arrangements were completed for. the match. LENIENT TREATMENT. At a recent meeting tho Secretary (Mr E. V- Begbie) advised the Referees’ Club had unanimously decided to enter a strong protest against tho lenient attitude by the O.F.A. towards players who had been ordered off tho field. Lenient treatment would have an adverse effect on the efficient control of games, especially when junior members of the club wore concerned. Mr M‘l lines; We are doing our best. The letter was received and the protest noted. AUCKLAND’S CHALLENGE. The Auckland Association advised that its team would leave Auckland on Wednesday and arrive in Dunedin on Friday. The manager is Mr A. E. Backhouse, who is also sole selector. The decision of the O.F.A. not to accept further challenges for tho F.A. Trophy this season, in tho event of holding it against'Auckland, was confirmed by the New Zealand Association. HALDANE'S TRANSFER. The Tramways Club advised that in connection with Haldane's transfer a decision had been made to appeal to the New Zealand Council. CHATHAM CUP FINAL. The council advised that the association’s application to pay the South Island final of the Chatham Cup competition on August 2l), instead of August 13. had been granted. , HENDERSON’S TRANSFER. A letter was received from tho Northern Club stating that it was considering tin- (|nesl.ion of placing the position of Henderson’s transfer before the New Zealand Football Association, as in its opinion the regulations governing cup competitions did not allow of alteration unless at tho annual or general meeting. 'The letter also asked for information regarding the financial standing of the clubs represented at the special general meeting.

The letter was received, and it was decided to advise the' Northern Club that the committee was of opinion that the words “or general meeting ” referred to any special general meeting of delegates, and in respect to the financial standing of clubs the matter of club subscriptions was at present under consideration by the Finance Committee, and the association held that all clubs , wore financial until advised to the contrary. PRIMARY SCHOOLS. The following is the draw for tomorrow A Grade.—Anderson’s Bay v. Normal. Oval (Mr Faithful) ; Mornington A v. George Street, Mornington (Mr Wallace) ; Mornington B v. High Street, Unity (Mr Wood) ; Arthur Street, a bye; Maori Hill v. Port Chahncrt, on Saturday, at 10, at Port Chalmers (Mr Holden). B Grade. —Wakari A v. Kaikorai A, Oval (Mr Harneiss) ; Tainui v. Mom--ington B, Oval (Mr M'Donald); Mornington'V. Maori Hill, Jubilee Park (Mr Notman); Wakari B v. George Street, Gardens (Mr \ r . Riach) ; High Street v. Normal A, Logan Park (Mr Brown) ; Arthur Street v. Kaikorai B. Ellis Park (Mr Harhourno) ; Kensington v. George Street B, Logan Park (Mr James) ; Mornington C v. Normal- B, Robin Hood (Mr Woodcock).