SOCCER DEADLOCK.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19391, 28 July 1926, Page 15

SOCCER DEADLOCK.

REFEREES AND EXECUTIVE.

REFUSAL TO CONTROL GAMES. CLUBS SUPPORT COMMITTEE. At last evening's meeting of the Auckland Football Association the chairman, Mr. Andrew Menzies, addressed the club delegates regarding the position that had arisen following the refusal of referees to take charge of last Saturday's games.

Mr. Menzies outlined in detail the negotiations that had taken place between the committee and the Referees' Association. In the interests of the players and tiie public, the executive could not allow itself to he dictated to by the referees, and this the latter body had attempted to do in threatening to refuse to control games unless representatives of the committee met the referees last Thursday evening. The reply given them was the same as applied at the present time.

The executive was quite prepared to discuss any grievances that might exist, but only after the referees had shown their willingness to perform their duties. Happily the committee had been able to keep faith with the clubs, and all last Saturday's games were properly controlled. The fact that several members of the Referees' Association had taken matches, while their secretary, Mr. G. T. Lee, had refereed three games, led them to the belief that the disgruntled section was represented by only a small number of members.

On the motion of Mr. Kennedy, of POll- - Club, a vote of thanks to, and confidence in the executive, was unanimously carried by the delegates all of whom expressed entire approval of the action taken by the chairman.

Later in the evening a request came from the Referees' Association for the committee.to receive a deputation. The committee replied that no discussion could take place until the referees gave an explanation of their conduct last Saturdav.

The referees sent a reply stating that exception had been taken to remarks made by the chairman at last Tuesday's meeting. It was then resolved to admit the members of the deputation who were informed that the remarks referred to had the unanimous support of the committee, and that until the referees carried out their duties there could be no further discussion irt the matter.

Mr. T. (J. Wilkes, who acted as spokesman ior the deputation, said he did not tliir k members would agree to this proposal. What they desired was to have the matter thrashed out before any appointments were made for future games.

It was then apparent that negotiations were impossible and the deputation left the room.

Failing the referees agreeing to its requests the executive decided to make arrangements for Saturday similar to those of last week.

ANOTHER DISAGREEMENT. JUNIOR COMMITTEE'S ACTION.*' "

The Junior Management Committee of the Auckland Football Assciation, fit, a meeting last evening, passed the following resolution: — " Owing to a lack of confidence shown by the Auckland Football Association Management Committee in the Junior Management Committee's decisions we do not feel disposed to carry on fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh grade games until a satisfactory arrangement is arrived at."