FATAL SOCCER GAME

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 18955, 4 March 1936, Page 5

FATAL SOCCER GAME

OPINION ON VICTIM NOT FIT TO PLAY LONDON, March 3. The Football Association Commission, after investigation into the Thorpe incident, in .which evidence was given by players, officials, a policeman, the referee, a linesman and spectators, was of the opinion that the fact that Thorpe was suffering from diabetes and was taking insulin regularly, rendered his participation in football unjustifiable.

The commission held that the referee's conduct of the match was satisfactory and added that the association's existing Instructions to referees were sufficient to ensure the proper conduct of a game.

At the inquest on February 12 on ,fames Thorpe, goalkeeper for the Sunderland Club, who died of diabetes accelerated by rough usage during a League match against Chelsea on February 1, a policeman gave evidence, that Thorpe was in possession of the ball and was lying in the goal-mouth. Four members of the Chelsea team repeatedly kicked towards him in an effort to obtain the ball. One witness declared that the game was rough throughout, and wu* a disgrace to first-class football. A fellow player said in evidence that he did not think their opponents were deliberately attempting to injure Thorpe. The coroner expressed the opinion that the referee had lost his grip and was unable to control the players. The jury passed a rider urging the Football Association to instruct referees to exercise a stricter control over the game.