FOOTBALL INJURIES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22877, 4 November 1937, Page 13

FOOTBALL INJURIES

RETIREMENT OF PLAYERS DANGER IN RETURN TO GAME ' SUGGESTION BY CORQNER [by TELEGRAPH —OWN correspondent] "WHANGAREI, 'Wednesday The universal adoption of some method of preventing footballers who retire witli head injuries from returning to the field when apparently recovered was suggested by the district coroner, Mr. G. H. Morrish, at the injuest to-day into the death of Angus Colin McLean, aged 21, who died on August 1 as the result of injuries received while playing for -the Waipu junior Rugby team the previous day. "It happens fairly frequently in football matches that players who retire with head injuries return" to the field apparently recovered, and there does not appear to be any rule governing the position," said Mr. Morrish. "Some football unions, however, have adopted methods of preventing players going back on to the field under such circumstances, and I think it would be wise if such a course were universally adopted. "The extent of the injury is not .always apparent until after a period of observation, and the fact that the player wants' to resume playing is no indication that he is capable of doing so without the danger of serious consequences." The coroner said the inquest had been adjourned on August 26 on the application of the police as the result of a statement by McLean's father that his son had told him before he died that lie had been struck by the fist of an opposing player. Evidence was given by Roderick Alexander McLean, who said he was playing in the same team as McLean. When an opposing player ran with the ball McLean tried to tackle him and then fell to the ground. The game was a good, clean, hard game with no foul play. James Hutchison, who was a spectator at the match, said ho saw McLean low-tackle another player, and the heel of the player's boot struck McLean on the head. The injury was entirely accidental and the game was a clean one.

'"There is nothing whatever in the evidence to substantiate" the statement that deceased was injured by a player's fist, and it also seems that the referee had complete control of the game," said the coroner, who returned a verdict according to the medical evidence. %