“QUIETEST MAN IN TEAM ORDERED OFF."

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18465, 17 May 1928, Page 14

“QUIETEST MAN IN TEAM ORDERED OFF."

WEST COAST LEAGUE CENTRE QUERIES CASE. (Special to the “ Star.”) GREYMOUTH, May 16. The actions of some players, resulting in their being ordered off the football field by referees, is still giving the West Coast League Centre members food for thought. At last night's meeting of the Centre a resolution was carried regretting that the incident of the ordering off of L. Kinsella in the Blackball-Runanga game last Sunday had been brought before it, and that no action should be taken. Mr A. M’Luskie, president of the Blackball Club. L. Kinsella, and the referee, Mr C. Hall, were in attendance. The referee reported that he had to send off Kinsella for repeatedly questioning his decisions, lie also warned J. Dodds, the Blackball captain, for the same offence. A letter was also read from Dodds laying a complaint against the referee of invitinjg him to go off the field by saying tai him several times, “Do you want to go off the field?” Mr M’Luskie stated that he attended the meeting on Kinsella's behalf. The Blackball Club wanted to know clearly why Kinslla had been ordered off. Kinsella was the silent man of the team. At this stage Mr Hall raised a point as to whether the discussion should be open to the Press. During the discussion which followed it was stated that any rows in the League were given full ventilation, while the opposition code held similar troubles in committee. Mr M’Luskie contended that the Press should have the right to publish a full report. Blackball contended that Kinsella was not at fault. The chairman, Mr J. D. Wingham, held that there was nothing prejudicial to the code in the matter. They were there to deal with the case on its merits. In giving, his version of the incident Kinsella denied that he had questioned the referee repeatedly. Only on two occasions had he done so. On one oc- ' casion he was about to play the ball but Henderson (Runanga) prevented him. He had passed the remark, "free kick,” following which Mr Hall had ordered a scrum. On another occasion he had replied to the referee's ruling. that s a new one to me.” *, ln ., rep ' y to the <- om Plaint of Dodds, Mr Hall stated that he had told Dodds to cut out questioning his decision. He had said to him as a warning, “Do you want to go off the field ? ” Later' he had occasion to caution Dodds. The game had reached the stage when the players were getting keyed up and a firm hand was required. Kinsella had been the victim of circumstances. Players were beginning to take charge and

Kinsella had been next to come under his notice. Mr Fielding moved that the ordering off of Kinsella be considered sufficient punishment. Mr M’Luskie: That is not a fair proposition to Kinsella. There is no proof of any fault against him. We have the referee’s own words that he was a victim of circumstances. Kinsella has played football for eight years and is one of the quietest men in the game. Mr Fraser moved an amendment that the centre regret the incident was brought before it and that no action be taken. The amendment was carried by six votes to four. It was decided that no action be taken regarding the letter from Dodds. Mr Hall remarked that he had rung the secretary of the Blackball Club asking him to appoint another referee as he had retired. He had been asked to fill a gap and at the request of the Blackball secretary had carried on. Mr Clark: We are gradually coming to a position when some definite understanding will have to be arrived at as to who can question the referee. Mr Wingham stated that the captain was the only man who could appeal to the referee. Mr Clark recommended that every delegate should carry the president's ruling back to the clubs anrl have it definitely impressed upon players.