Footballer Stood Down For Two Saturdays

Chronicle (Levin), 8 September 1949, Page 4

Footballer Stood Down For Two Saturdays

* A sequel to the Athletic-Awahau junior rugby game p'ayed at Foxton on Saturday was che appearance of V. Bonner, of Athletic, before the management committee of the Horowhenua Rugby Union on Tuesday night for striking a Foxton player. " . • , Thy referee,' Mr. S. J. Vertongen, reported that Bonner had struck an opposing player in a set scrum. « He had previously warned him for illegal play during the game. Asked for ' an explanation, Bonner denfed striking a player, saying that he had seen the opposing centre hooker putting his fingers in the eyes of the Athlecic centre hooker and had heard the latter cry out. Bonner said he had seized the offending player's arm to force it away. He .had definitely not struck him. He also offered an. explanation in regard to the previous incident. The' referees' delegate, Mr. J. 4 A. Zuppicich, when asked by the president, Mr. R. L. Robinson, if the association had any recommendations to make, replied that the association had no recommendation. ,By this the association was not admitting the referee was wrong, but in a previous case in which doubt had been raised as the result of-a denial from the player concemed the union had dismissed the case. In this instance the association would leaVe the matter entirely to the union. Mr. Robinson said he was disappointed with the association's attitude. Aithough the union had not upheld it.last time, the union expected the association to fall into iine and accep^ it, -but apparently the association thought otherwise.

Other members also expressed disappointment at no reeommendation being forthcoming. The player was flnally stood down for two playing Saturdays. Mr. Zuppicich recorded his vote against the decision, stating that he feit the player had been the victim of an injustice in that the previous player had been acquitted. The president said there was no comparison and that each case was dealt with on its merits. An Awahau piayer ordered oif during the same game was not present . and was automatically suspended from further play until he appears.