NO REPLACEMENTS IN SOCCER GAME.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17832, 28 April 1926, Page 4

NO REPLACEMENTS IN SOCCER GAME.

AUCKLAND PROPOSAL IS TURNED DOWN. (Special to the “ Star.”) WELLINGTON, April 28. “ That the council he asked to approach the English Association, and ask them for a dispensation to allow the New Zealand Association to replace injured players during matches, so as to meet looal requirements.” Mr A. Menzies. chairman of the Auckland Football Association and delegate, moved* this Auckland remit at the annual meeting of the New Zealand Football Association. Mr Menzies said all the other bodies allowed replacements, and could not jinderstand why Soccer would allow eleven men to play against eight or nine. He recalled an Auckland game in which three men were hurt, and one side was playing with eight men. Spectators had also commented upon it. It could not be shown that the priviledge had been abused whever allowed. It would probably be necessary to get a dispensation from the English Football Association, and he did not think that body would interfere in their local affairs. Air F. Campbell seconded, although, he said, he had been instructed by his association to vote against it, and quoted the rule that the game should be played by eleven players. It was the spirit of the game and not the winning that mattered. Under the old rule they could resort to the one back game, but now the team that lost a man really lost him. They did pot want that to be the case in New Zealand. They should try and be ahead of England in this matter, and he thought the Old Country would adopt it eventually. He thought Nqw Zealand should pioneer the movement. The change in the rules had altered the position. and he did not thin kit would be abused. Mr R. B. Bunt (Christchurch) thought it must be a strenuous game in Auckland to lose three men through injuries. The feeling in Christchurch was that the rule should stand. Mr Adamson, a professional referee from the Old Country, said there was no liklihood of replacements now being allowed in the Old Country. Mr A. J. Hvder (South Canterbury) said he was strongly opposed to the remit, and quoted an international match in which Ireland lost a man in the first twenty minutes, yet won, 3-0. It had been tried in Australia, and proved to be a farce. OPEN TO ABUSE. Mr J. J. Roberts disagreed with the motion, and said that a new man coming on to the field when near the end of the game gave a big advantage to, that team. He submitted that it would be open to abuse. It would only be asking for a rebuff to submit such a proposal to the English Association. Mr L. C. 11. Dawson said if they wanted to get finance they would Jiave to make the game attractive. Mr Menzies said they were adopting semi-professionalism now, and were paying plenty of men £1 every Saturday. They in New Zealand wanted to make laws for New Zealand, and he did not want any dictation from England or anywhere else as to II9W they should conduct the game. The motion was then put and voted on the representation of delegates, and was lost on the votes.-