ROUGH DUNEDIN FOOTBALL.

King Country Chronicle, Volume XX, Issue 2119, 26 May 1925, Page 5

ROUGH DUNEDIN FOOTBALL.

REFEREES’ LIVES IN DANGER. COMPLAINTS TO ASSOCIATION. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) Dunedin, this day.

The executive of the Otago Football Association was kept busy for a long time last night dealing with complaints from referees against the rough nature of the games over which they officiated within the last fortnight. The Port Convent second grade team was specially criticised. Mr W. L. Ludden, the referee in the match wherein they played last Saturday, said that on the day’s play they required a severe caution from the Association, as the majority were out to play the man. He added: “From what I could see, they were the roughs of Port Chalmers, not the Port Convent team.” It was decided to write to the club pointing out the unsatisfactory condition of this team. Another referee, Mr A. Preston, complained against this team in a match played a fortnight ago, for swearing and rough play. The referee said he endeavoured to take the name of one player but he did not appear to have one. He had threatened to put the man off and the player had replied that if he was not careful “he would push his face through the back of his head.” It appeared that this man was a stray picked up on the ground. He was suspended during the pleasure of the Association. ■ The referee commented on the attitude of “barrackers.” “If I had said one word out of place I would never have got away alive. I kept very quiet.” 0 It was said of another referee at Mosgiel that, had he not been assisted by the taxi men, he would not have got away from the mob. The referee and the two captains were instructed to appear next Monday.