LONG PERIOD OF SUSPENSION

Chronicle (Levin), 6 August 1947, Page 4

LONG PERIOD OF SUSPENSION

RUGBY PLAYER STOOD DOWN TILL END OF NEXT SEASON " ' T That a member of the Otaki-Rahui team had tised insuiting and obscene language .when ordei'ed off the field during a recent game and had hot Only quOstioiled his decision, but had adopted a threateniiig and hostile ^ attitude", were serious allegations made by the referee, Mr. F. G.. Carrington, at last night's meeting of the Horowhenua Rugby Union's mahagehient cOmmittee. . Following considerable discussion on the report Ahd also a written statfement from N. Gray, the play er eoncerned, it was decided by the committee that he be suspended for the remainder of the seasoh and all of next season. - ... •

"I have never experienced such an exhibition in all the time I have been associated with rugby football, and had I not had the support of the remaining members of both teams it is certabi that the threats to mol^st me ahd inflict bodily harm would . most certainly have been carried out," wrote Mr. Carrington in the course of his report. * The incident which was the subject of the charges had oecurred soon after the comrnencement of tfie second spell in the senior game between Otaki-Rahui and Athletic. General play had been in progress a few yards from the Otaki goal lihe when he had blown his whistle and penalised an Otaki player for being- off-side. No sooner had he giVen his deqision than the player questioned it in an "oifensive manner." He had thereupon cautioned him, and receiving still further "obscene abuse," demanded his name. The player had sareasticaliy replied "Captain Cook," at the same time passing some further remark which, though he had not heard clearly, the referee considered was "certainly not meant to ~be his name." "Several players of his owh team tried to reason with him, but he took not the slightest notice," continued Mr. Carrington.* "I then ordered him from the field and as he left he called out Tll get you for this you — .' Various members of the Otaki team will bear withess that this is the exact statement as made b'y this offender." Continuing, Mr, Carrington alleged that after . the player- had left the field he had continued this abuse, and had there been a member of the police force present he, (Mr. Carrington), would have had no hesitation in making a complaint. As the player had refused to give his name, the referee had been obliged to ask the Otaki team for it. "The game was not played in a good spirit at any part of it, and 'playing the man' was prevalent in spite of frequent penalties," continued Mr. Carrington: "'"After the player had been ordered off, I would definitely state that he was responsible for the obscene language hurled at me by certain spectators on the western sidelihe. Had I been able to locate a conStable I would have laid a complaint regarding the behaviour of these spectators, who were under the influence of alcohol, In fact one Otaki player actuaily remonstrated with the offending player and these spectators, and asked them not to make things worse than they were." Gray's Version The player concerned was working at Pukerua Bay and it was not possible for him to attend the meeting of -the management committee in person, said Mr. E. J. Cook. He had with him, however, a written statement from Gray, which he passed to the president. ' "According to Mr. Carrington's statement, I questioned his decision, but that is not true," wrote Gray. "When I was offside I walked away." There followed an admission of certain language

used, "Mr, Carrington then cautioned me for using obscene language. Theh about two miiiutes later he asked me my name apd I replied, 'Captain Cook' without being abusive. Then he ordered me off th6 field for no reason.' Denying that he had called Mr. Carrington by an obscene name, Gray said: "I did'say Tll get you for this,' but meant nothing." Gray further denied having continued to abuse Mr. Carrington from the sideiine, statiiig that he was nowhere near the sideiine but on the grandstand. Committee's Discussion Wheh the Jhpprts Were opehed for discussion, Mr. Cook contended that the incident had been exaggerated and was not as serious as ix, seemed on paper. The player concerned was realiy a t!good boy," and had been captain of the Otaki junior team for the past three years. He was normally good hearted, and no referee jn the association had ever before ha'd ailything against him. He said he personaliy thought both the boy and the referee had been "keyed up" at the time. The boy had probably acted and said things on the "spur of the moment," and hothing had been really meant. • Mr. Cook recommended that in the circumstances the committee treat the matter lightly, and moved that he be stood down for one pla-yin-g Saturday, namely, the Saturday that has just passed. There Was no seconder to this motion. The Referees' Association had discussed the matter very fully and took a serious view of the charges against the player, Said Mr. C. E. Wiseley. There were now, however, contradictory reports and though he personaliy did not doubt the referee'S statement, it was apparent that evidence should be brought before the committee by the witnesses, Regarding the incidents on the field, the Referees' Association felt that two years' suspension should be imposed for those offences alone. If the aileged tfireat to do bodily harm and the , contention that he assisted in inciting others was proved/then a five years' penalty was recommended. ReCommending that the player 'be stood down for the remainder of •the present season and all of next, Mr, W. O. Neas said that the player had admitted using obscene language, which was in itself a serious offence, Refusal to give his name to the referee and treating the demand facetiously was setting a bad example in the treatment of referees? The motion was seconded by Mr. J. Dunlop. Mr. Winiata: He has admitted certain statements of the $eferee. I am satisfied of the truth of the referee's statement, and think the admissions already made warrant the penalty that has been moved and seconded. Many of the members thought that Witnesses should be advised to attend the next meeting of the committee so that the whole offence should be investigated and not just part of it,-,but wnen put to vote Mr. Neas' motion was carried on a show of hands.