LIVELY SOCCER

Hokitika Guardian, 30 September 1931, Page 7

LIVELY SOCCER

PLAYER STRIKES! REFEREE,

PANDEMOMUM BROKE OUT. A lively game of Association football was described at the last meeting of th € northern division of the Taranaki Football Association when a protest against the suspension for only 12 months of a Caledonian club player for striking the referee was received from the Referees’ Association. In his report on the incident in the match, which was held on September 5, the referee, Dr. D. E. Brown, said that early in the' second half a Caledonian player was penalised for dangerous tackling and was warned. Later a. penalty kick was awarded to the opposing team. The majority ot the Caledonian players protested, and the greatest disorder ensued. A caicdoniian player took possession of the ball and refused to hand It over until threatened with dismissal from the field. The .ball was placed in the open, and from the medley of criticism it was noticeable that the' player previously warned was the chief offender. He was ordered off forthwith.

“Shortly afterwards a member of the opposing team scored from an off-side position, and I indicated a free kick,” Dr. Brown continued. “Pandemonium broke out among the Caledonians, and I looked round to see what was wrong and found a Caledonian player rushing at me. I fended him off and turned to inquire from the others what all the agitation was about, The player then committed the assault and was ordered off.” It transpired that this player and some of the Caledonians who had not seen the referee’s sjgna| thought a goal had been awarded. The meeting decided to refer the mat. ter to the Taranaki Football Association.