SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIPS

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 168, 17 July 1937, Page 11

SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIPS

EVENT FOR NEXT JUNE? PREMIERSHIP OF THE WORLD All the persuasive forces of the football authorities of Europe have been marshalled with the hope of getting England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales to enter their cup competition, which is to be decided in Paris next June. The British associations are not members of the International Federation, which embraces the 60 countries outside Britain in which the game is played, but all are represented on the International Board, which is responsible for the rules. It was at the annual meeting of the board that British officials were strongly urged to join next year’s cup competition, but already England and Scotland have intimated that they cannot accept the proposal. It is doubtful if either Wales or Ireland will find it a practical proposal. It has been pointed out that the British season ends at the end of April, that the players then go out of training, and that it is impossible for them to return to the game, specially to take part in the event in Paris. Besides, if is most unlikely that the clubs would sanction the arrangement.

“Very well, we will bring the cup competition forward to May, if you will enter,” said the European countries. Even this proposal was not regarded favourably. An alternative one was then put forward. This was that England. Scotland, Ireland, and Wales should pool their resources and be represented by a British team. This suggestion is under consideration, and it may be approved, but it would be only to support the event and not with any thought of winning it, inasmuch as the players, tired by their own long season and having broken their training, would be at a serious disadvantage as compared with their European rivals.

An all-Brit-sh amateur team took part in the Olympic Games in Berlin a year ago, and under their handicap they failed, as was foreseen, to do themselves justice.