REFEREE WITH KNIFE

Greymouth Evening Star, 16 May 1925, Page 3

REFEREE WITH KNIFE

CHASED FROM THE FIELD.

Writing from Buenos Ayres a correspondent of an exchange sends a Press account of a free fight which occurred at a Sqnday football match in Buenos Ayres on February 15. “The unusual spectacle of a football referee attacking a spectator; with a knife during the progress of a match was witnessed on Sunday afternoon before a large crowd, which eventually became so hostile to the redoubtable'referee that he was forced to make a hurried exit from the scene.

“The incident occurred during the progress of a game between two football clubs called ‘Libertarios Unidos’ and ‘Suderman,’ which'Was played on a piece of ground situated between Calles Donado and Manuela Pedraza (Saavedra), and arose out of the enthusiasm of one of the onlookers, named Manuel Saenz. It appears that Saenz was not in agreement with a move made by one of the players belonging to the ‘Libertarios.’ and shouted his disapproval. He had no sooner uttered his protest than the referee, who, by the way, also belongs to the ‘Libertarios’ Club, drew a large knife from his belt and made straight for the unlucky Saenz, accompanied by two other members of the same club. “Flourishing the knife as 'if it were a sword, the referee did everything possible to wound the other, lunging and thrusting at Saenz in the manner of the most practised fencer, but his would-be victim managed to save himself from any serious injury by his agility, and the only damage done was a few cuts in different parts jf his clothes, and a slight wound in one finger. “As soon as the tumult started, play was stopped and the members of the ‘Suderman’ club lost no time in making for the referee, armed with revolvers and knives, which, of course, had the immediate result of scattering the public in all directions. “A general brawl followed until the referee, becoming fully alive to l »e dangers of the situation, decided that discretion was the better part of valour and made off as fast as he could, pursued by. the ‘Suderman’ footballers. The referee, as well as his two friends were almost caught by .the mob just outside the field, but they managed to jump into a taxi waiting near Saavedra station, and were off. This move, however, was closely followed by their pursuers, who ran after the tax.’, for three blocks, when, for some unknown reason, the car stopped, the men got out, and continued their flight on foot until they disappeared. “Upon an examination being made of the interior of the taxi a couple of villainous-looking knives were found as well as a razor and a pyjama suit, belonging to the referee’, who used it as his ‘official uniform’ during the match.’’