ROUGH SOCCER GAME

Taranaki Daily News, 13 July 1933, Page 7

ROUGH SOCCER GAME

TEAM CALLED OFF FIELD.

“SLAUGHTER” SAID MANAGER.

The international Soccer match played at Nice toward the end of May, between the Wolverhampton Wanderers, England, and the Olympic Gymnastic Club, of Nice, ended in a draw of three goals each. It was a rough game, which nearly ended in a riot between the players owing to what was ■ alleged to be foul play on the part of members of the French team. Police had to be called in to quell the disorder. The trouble began after half an hour’s play, when the Wolves protested against the alleged kicking, tripping and fouling by their opponents. The two teams were separated by directors and officials who went on to the field.

After half-time the Wolves renewed their protests, and police were brought on the field to maintain order. Twenty minutes after the resumption the disorder became so great that Mr. Buckley, the manager of the Wolverhampton team, called his players off the field. The crowd threatened the players with bottles as they left the ground. The directors of the Nice Club, fearing that the spectators might riot if the match were not continued, persuaded the Wolverhampton players to return, but there were further scenes and Nelson, the Wolverhampton half-back, protested vigorously against the tactics of three of the Nice players. Owing to the disturbances the match ended ten minutes before it should have done. Mr. Buckley declared after the match that he had been engaged in football for 30 years, but had never seen such a “slaughter.” He was emphatic that he would not bring his team to France again.