MR. BARBOUR MAKES CERTAIN QUALIFICATIONS.

Chronicle (Levin), 27 June 1947, Page 6

MR. BARBOUR MAKES CERTAIN QUALIFICATIONS.

CHRISTCHURCH, June 26. Denying the criticisins he was reported to have made about Australian sportsmanship and the treatment the South African soccer teain had reeeived in Austraiia, the manager of the team (Mr. J. J^arbour) said this evening that his comnjents had been made solely about New South Wales soccer officials. "We were never at any time disgusted by the Australians, " he said. "We made many valued friendships in Austraiia and ail sections of .the coininunity went out of their way to roeeive and entertain us. Any criticism I.have •made has been levelled specifically against New South Wales soccer officials and their action in paying players and playing the same team against us in most of our matehes. We knew their style of football was robust and vigorous but we at no time questioned their sportsmanship," he said. "Before sailr ing for South Africa we have to returii to Austraiia and we have agreed to play further matehes when we retufn. We shall be able to do so with the happiest recolleetions of our tour of both Austraiia and New Zealand and the countless good sportsmen we have met in both countries. ' ' A further statement Avas made this evening by the 'assistant manager of the t-eam (Mr. Malcolm Taylor), captain "(Mr. E. H. Smedhurst) and vice-captam (Mr. C. Kurland), read: "We, the assistant manager, captain, vice-captain and 16 players of the Springbok soccer team touring Austraiia and New Zealand, publicly dissociate ourselves from the statement of th-e manager (Mr. J. Barbour) published in Christchurch on June 26. All of us have formed friendships vffith many Australian people during nur tour of the Oommonwealth and it i's our desire that these friendships should not be damaged in any way by any statement made by any member of the party. The question of policy is a matter be tween the Australian and South African Football Association."