“TAINTED” FOOTBALL ATTACKED BY BISHOP.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18615, 17 November 1928, Page 5

“TAINTED” FOOTBALL ATTACKED BY BISHOP.

ENGLISH SCHOOLS ADOPTING RUGBY. Special to the *' Star.") LONDON, September 3. Complaining that the “money taint’* of professional football is a peril to the existence of the game. Bishop Welldon, Dean of Durham, is the latest to enter the lists in criticism of the great sport. Among the “evils” cited by Bishop Welldon were: The habit of inducing players to transfer therrjselves for pecuniary gain from one club to another, with the consequent destruction of the interest properly attaching to local clubs. The iniquitous practice, which he hoped was rare, of offering bribes to players that they may wilfully cause the defeat of the teams for which they play. The impropriety of paying amateurs the fees due to professionals alone, and the prevalence of coupon betting. “At the present time,” the bishop added, “one school after another seems to be adopting Rugby football, partly, I am told, if not mainly, because Rugby football is not so much tainted as Association football by professionalism.” “When Dr Welldon has views to express about football I regard them precisely as he would regard any views 1 might have to offer on theology,” was the comment of Mr Herbert Chapman, manager of the Arsenal Football Club, on Saturday. “Is Dr Welldon really acquainted with what he is discussing?” he asked. Mr H. J. Huband, honorary secretary of the Isthmian ‘League, said: “Dr Welldon cannot be completely in touch with his subject. Any instance of 'paid amateurs’ is very strongly dealt with, and the closest hold is kept on the conduct of the game. I think that the bishop is over-anxious.”