Charge Against Footballer Dismissed

Chronicle (Levin), 4 August 1949, Page 6

Charge Against Footballer Dismissed

During the game he had' stood B. Webber on the line for deliberately striking a player, reported the referee of the Shannon-Paraparaumu fourth grade game in a Jetter to the Horowhenua Rugby Union's management committee, read at Tuesday night's meeting. The referee, Mr. L. G. Sayer, said that the ball was taken- in the lineout by Webber who punched in the face. another boy who went to tackle him. The referee added that at the conclusion of the game one of the Paraparaumu players called but "and a big boo for the referee," and several of the players had booed. Called before the committee, Webber said he merely fended the player off with his open hand. The referees' deleg^te, Mr. J. A Zuppicich, said his association recommended that the player should be stood down for two playing Saturdays, and he moved accordingly. During the subsequent discussion some members of the committee expressed the view that ' there seemed to be some doubt about the incident. Mr. D. J. Oliver moved that the charge be dismissed. This was seconded by Mr. T. Winiata and was subsequently carried against strong opposition from Mr. Zuppicich, who said the referee was the judge of fact and should he supported in the .interest of possible future occurrences. He' expressed the desire to have his vote against the motion recorded. Messrs A. Haley and A. L. Chappell also' recorded their votes against the motion. In advising the player of the dismissal of the charge, the president, Mr. R. L. Robinson, warned him that he should in future be careful how he fended, and that in this case he was being given the benefit of the doubt.