FOOTBALL INCIDENT

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIX, Issue 102, 30 March 1929, Page 12

FOOTBALL INCIDENT

DISCI)S'SION BY REFEREES. “The attacking side took a 'mark/ just before the time bell sounded. The referee, who had only blown his whistle, but had not given the ‘mark,’ called time. Was he correct?.” The above question was submitted for decision to the annual conference of the New Zealand Referees’ Association yesterday, and was finally referred to the executive for consultation with the New Zealand Rugby Union. The question arose from an incident in last year’s senior Rugby competition when an Athletic player on the attack took a mark just before the bell for “time” sounded. The referee who had blown his whistle, hut had not given the mark, thereupon called “time” and would not allow Athletic

to take the mark. The matter was first referred to the New Zealand Rugby Union who ruled that the referee was within his rights in terminating the game. The executive of the Referees’ Association, however, on being asked for a ruling were of a contrary opinion, and ruled that the referee was wrong in action and should have allowed the- kick. When the matter camo up for discussion, the president, Mr McKenzie stated that the N.Z.R.U. could not have had the'facts placed fairly before them. The matter had been threshed out by the referees. The ringing of the bell was not the final act in the game but the referee’s whistle. If the referee blew his whistle for a mark, that mark should have been taken before time was called. Mr v Kronfeld (Auckland) thought that the association should' make a clear cut ruling on the matter. The game should be concluded by the ball being put out of play. Mr McKenzie suggested that it bo

a recommendation to referees using timekeepers that the final bell should ,>i not he rung until the ball was out of Pl Mr Olsen (Poverty Bay) thought that no bells should be allowed. Ihe referee was the sole timekeeper and bell men should be cut out. In order to clear up the matter, the question - was referred back to the N.Z.R.U.