ROUGH FOOTBALL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22344, 15 February 1936, Page 13

ROUGH FOOTBALL

GOALKEEPER'S DEATH . PLAYERS OUT OF CONTROL JURY'S PLEA TO REFEREES (Received February 14, 5.5 p.in.) LONDON, Feb. 14 The Football Association is expectfed to act on the rider of a coroner's jury urging it to instruct referees more strictly to control players. The rider was passed at the inquest on James Thorpe, goalkeeper for Sunderland, who died from diabetes accelerated by rough usage during a League match against Chelsea on February 1. Policemen at the inquest gave evidence that Thorpe was in possession of the ball and was lying in the mouth of the goal. Four Chelsea players repeatedly kicked in his direction in an effort to obtain the ball. One witness said the game was rough throughout and a disgrace to first-class football. A fellow player said he did not think the opponents deliberately attempted to injure Thorpe. The coroner expressed the opinion that the referee lost his grip and could not control the players. Sir Frederick Wall, secretary of the Football Association, says an inquiry ought to be held. Roughness has been developing in recent years.