FOOTBALL RIOT.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVIII, Issue 240, 7 September 1928, Page 7

FOOTBALL RIOT.

ITALY RESExNTS DEFEAT.

“DOAVN AVITH FRANCE.”

LONDON ,Aug. 22.

Another Franco-Italian incident has developed as a result of the University Games which were held in Paris after the Olympic Games. The Rome correspondent of the Times describes an anti-French demonstration during the reception to the Italian team, which w'as met by crowds representing Fascist organisations.

Signor Turati, secretary-general of the Fascist Party, referring to events during the Italo - Hungarian 6occer match, addressed the team: “AVe welcome you not so much as athletes, but as boxers, which sport was not included in the programme. But circumstances, especially the French public’s lack of breeding, immediately transformed you into fighters—a fight more political than sporting. I told you before your departure to overlook actions that might be provocative, but that if anyone trod on your feet you should reciprocate. You did well.”

POLICE INTERFERED.

The crowd greeted the speech with cries of “Down with France, down with Chiapple” (who is prefect of the Paris police). Apparently the incident of the match w r as not considered important, enough for a report, but Turati’s outburst had an immediate repercussion in Phris, where a semi-official statement declares that some liveliness occurred owing to the Italians participating in the International Students’ Congress. Then, after Italy’s soccer defeat by Hungary on Saturday, some of the spectators came to blows. The police interfered vigorously and administered some nasty knocks. Half a dozen Italians W'ere among the victims.