INSULTING THE REFEREE

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 2715, 24 June 1925, Page 7

INSULTING THE REFEREE

Apologise Or No Whistle! ASSOCIATION TAKES STRONG STAND. “SOMEBODY IS TELLING LIESt” The incident at the close of the Kia Toa-Feildlng match, when a player was caught in the act of passing Insulting remarks about the referee, was advanced another Stage at last night’s meeting of the Manawatu Rugby Football Union.

The Referees’ Association representative intimated that members would decline to control any game in which the player appear* unless he apologises.

The honorary secretary of tM Manawatu Rugby Referees' Association in a letter ,to last night’s meeting of the Manawatu Rugby Union stated that he had been instructed to write re the matter of the unsportsmanlike remarks passed by one of the Kia Toa players at tho termination of the senior match, Kia Toa v. Feildlng, at the Showground on Saturday, June 6, regarding the referee, and expressed appreciation of the manner' in which the Union had so promptly dealt with the question of protecting its referees. Apology and Denial. The chairman (Mr. A. Hannay), said he had seen the captain of tho Kia Toa Football Club (Mr. J. McDonald) who had stated the remark probably yhad been passed and the Club regretted it. A letter would be coming in to let the Union see that the Club held the referee in high esteem. This letter read: —

Palmerston North, July 23, 1925,

The Secretary, M.R.F.U. Sir, —In reference to your letter garding the remarks “Yes and have to play 16 men” alleged to have been made by one of the ICia Toa team after the Kla Toa-Feilding match on 6th Inst., I have to state that I have interviewed all the players, each of whom denies passing the remark. The committee of this club regrets than an incident of .this kind should be reported in the paper, which fact they consider is not in the best interests of Rugby football. They also wish it to be known that Mr. F, C. Camppbell is held in high esteem by the club which would be quite content if all matches in which the club took part were controlled by him. (Sgd.) W. EYRE.

Secretary Kia Toa Football Club.

Mr. H. Crawford said he did not agree with the remarks passed by Mr. Hannay as the Kia Toa Club had decided the letter just read correctly stated the position from its point of view and that therefore the reference to the club regretting the remark having been made w T as not in order. Mr. Crawford, continuing, said the club felt very hurt that the matter had gone into the press. He proceeded to make a strong personal attack on the Times’ football reporter, who was present at the meeting, but who, of course, was unable to defend himself.

The speaker said the reporter was not giving the club a fair deal in his reports and there must be something wrong somewhere when he wrote aa he did about th e Kia Toa-Woodville match last year, the Kia Toa-Old Boys and Kia Toa-Woodville matches ,this season. He protested against the treatment of the Kia Toa Club in the matter of these unfair reports and of the whole incident and contended the M.R.P.U. had no right to take notice of the press criticism aa the whole thing “was merely newspaper piffle to make good reading.” Referees’ Strong Stand.

Mr. C. W. White told the meeting that the Manawatu Rugby Referees’ Association had practically decided that none of its members would control a match in which the particular player took part until an apology waa made to the referee. Mr. F. C. Campbell said as most of the Kia Toa players "had come to him and stated they had not made the remark he waa prepared to let the matter go as far as the club itself was concerned as he did not wish to penalise the whole of the players of the team for the one man. “But,” said Mr. White, “if the man in question takes the field no member of the Asociation will act. If he doe not play the matter will be allowed to drop, otherwise the apology must be forthcoming.”

Mr. Crawford objected to the passing by of the reported incident in which an Old Boys’ player was concerned in the Western United match on the same day as “a joke,” while that of ,th e Kia Toa club’s player had been given such publicity. Mr. W. A. Lyon: What evidence il there that the player made the statement ?

The chairman: None. The club was asked to procure an apology from the player if the remark had been passed and if it was meant to refer ,to the referee. I hate childishness and think the proper course would have been for the man who made the statement to admit the remark was passed and say he was sorry.

The chairman was emphatic that McDonald told him the club was sorry if the statement had been made. Mr. Crawford’s version of the club’s attitude being so different another member ventured the opinion that “somebody was telling lies.” Eventually it was decided upon the „ motion of Mr. J. R. Hardie that a copy of the Kia Toa club's letter* be sent on to the Manawatu Rugby Referees’ Association.