PROFESSIONAL SOCCER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20131, 17 December 1928, Page 15

PROFESSIONAL SOCCER.

THE QUESTION OF GRAFT.

REVELATIONS NOT MATURED.

[FROM OUri ATHLIiTIC CORRESPONDENT.] LONDON. Oct. 29

The promised revelations on graft in English Soccer have not matured, and the Sunday Dispatch, which was to have told us something really sensational through the mouthpiece of George Hun* ter, the famous Aston Villa centre-half, informs its readers that the "revelations" aro being withheld. Why this volte face on the part of the famous Rothermere Sunday paper I cannot say, but it cannot be said the public is at all pleased. Here for nearly a fortnight the Rothermere ■ press has been hinting at graft in professional Soccer, though in every article not a definitely stated accusation was made. George Hunter was to have provided these, but apparently the player and the paper have been gagged. It is all very well the Daily Mail and its allied papers hinting at graft in professional Soccer, and in respect of the attack columns have been written, but in no single instance has the reader been told anything that really matters. As a matter of fact it looks to me as though the Daily Mail has been very badly advised in launching its attack without pro* viding facts to substantiate its charges. It can be said that while the Daily Mail has wrecked Governments, it has been defeated, and very badly defeated at that, in its fight with English football clubs. The articles were very weak, and * hen when the companion paper, the Sunday Dispatch, fails to carry out its promised intentions of making all footballers and their supporters read certain revelations with astonished eyes, we have the last straw. It would seem as though someone has blundered.

The Sunday Dispatch held that Hunter's articles were of public importance as affecting Britain's greatest national winter sport, bat for somo reason the "revelations" aro not to pee the light of day. The Sunday Dispatch has had to pull in its horns. It has had to climb down.

Apparently Rothermere is niqro afraid of English Soccer than he is of politicians. But would Northcliffe himself have apologised to the public for failure to provide it with a tit bit ? He would have gone through with his promise, which Rothermere for some mysterious reason" has failed to do. And all England is wondering. Yes, Rothermere and his papers have been badly beaten.