SOUTH AFRICAN SOCCER PLAYERS COMPLAIN A LOT OF AUSTRALIA

Wanganui Chronicle, 6 May 1947, Page 5

SOUTH AFRICAN SOCCER PLAYERS COMPLAIN A LOT OF AUSTRALIA

(From C. R. Mentplay, N2.P.A. Correspondent.) Recd. 9.40 p.m. Sydney, May 5. If sports representatives are regarded as ambassadors of their countries, the relations between Australia and South Africa are not likely to be improved by the visit of the South African soccer team, which is now in I Sydney in the course of a tour of Australia and New Zealand. Sftice arrival in the Commonwealth the management of the team has lodged a series of complaints on subjects ranging from travelling conditions and accommodation, the size of grounds and the durability of Australian footballs. » The players arrrived in Fremantle ‘ by an immigrant “hellship,” about which their comments were understandably terse. The train journey between Perth and Adelaide brought the first complaint of treatment within Australia. The English cricketers voiced no protests about this long and tedious journey, but the South Africans thought they should have been given an air trjp. The manager (Mr. J. Barbour) protested that when in Adelaide some footballers had to share double beds. Sydney accommodation brought bitter complaints in the Press “I almost collapsed waen I reached the hotel and was shown a dormitory in which were 14 beds for my players,” said Mr. Barbour. He demanded and received sr change; but is •stiirnot satisfied. Hotel meals were also made the subject of a newspaper complaint. The South Africans objected to the quality of the meals, the fact that only two per day .v. ere available at the hotel, and to the type of luncheon offered them at the Sydney cricket ground before the match with New South Wales. “By The way wC hat e Been* hefded round Australia officials must have K- have tboug.it we were a lot of Zulus,” commented Mr. Barbour. He said before the New South Wales game that the playing fields of 110 by 75 yards was much too small. South African fields were 130 by 90 yards, and the regulation international field 120 oy 90. The width of the field was increased before the game to CO yards. “ The visitors claim that Australianmade footballs lese their shape because of inferior leather. Mr. Barbour’s remarks have received prominence in the South African Press, and at Bulawayo, Mr. F. W. Fell, president of the South African Football Association, expressed surprise that proper accommodation had not been provided for the tourists in Australia. At a special conference in Sydney Mr. Barbour gained his points. It was agreed that henceforth only the best accommodation should be provided for the team and that Mr. Barbour should be notified in advance of all further bookings. Charges of bungling are being levelled at the Australian Association officials by several sporting writers. The South Africans are look*4 ing forward to better accomniodation and travelling conditions when they go to New Zealand. They are already assured of flying both ways across the Tasman.