DISGRACEFUL CONDUCT AT SHANNON.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 2432, 23 May 1922, Page 3

DISGRACEFUL CONDUCT AT SHANNON.

A REFEREE ASSAULTED. /

VICTIM HAS HIS JAW BROKEN

The Levin “Chronicle” of yesterday ,had the following:—lt is a tribute to the sporting sense of the players and the football public that attacks on referees in the Dominion are of rare occurrence —so x’are, indeed, that one has to inquire of the oldest identity if lie has any such recollection, and he says “No” very decidedly. An incident that occurred in a match at Shannon on .Saturday, involving a savage assault on the referee, and the use of foul, obscene language, therefore, stand's out in the most objectionable light. If therrs-one thing more than another that ’will endanger the future -of the game, it is the actions of the participants in it, and the authorities having jurisdiction over district matches should make a stand that will prevent a recurrence of what took place on Saturday. The facts are that the Rovers, of Levin, and the Shannon Juniors, were playing their fixture on the Shannon ground, and Mr E. Claridge, of Levin, was refereemg. The game was drawing to a cljfsc when the referee had occasion to penalise a Shannon player, who hnmediately applied a foul epithet to the referee, and the latter ordered him off the field. As he was going off, it -is alleged another Shannon player called out to him, “Come back and hit if you do six months for it.” Then followed a general assault on the referee by several of the Shannon players. Urged by some of his companions, the player who was ordered off returned and struck the referee. That official was then savagely assaulted by other players, whilst the most abominable language was being used. The spectators crowded round and the scene presented the appearance of a riot. Meantime the referee collapsed under the brutal treatment he was subjected to and lay unconscious on (he ground. A Levin player went to his assistance when the melee was at its height and was roughly handled and was struck on the face and head by some of the Shannon team. The incident occurred just on the call of time and play was not resumed. The referee was assisted to a ear'on his recovery and proceeded home to Levin. On reaching Levin, Ur Claridge reported the matter to the meeting of the Referees’ .Association, and proceeded to his home. Later in the evening two officials of the Association visited Mr Claridge and as a result of learning his condition they decided to eall in a doetor. Dr. Gow examined him and reported.that the referee was suffering from a compound fracture of the jaw, and ordered his immediate removal to the Palmerston North Hospital, where he is now progressing favourably. This savage outburst is rightly to he enquired info by the ITorowhenua. Rugby Union and the Union has already, with commendable promptitude, made a preliminary, investigation. Yesterday Messrs Nash, Thompson and Carmichael enquired into the incident both in Levin and Shannon, and it is understood that charges of assault and using obscene language will be laid against four Shannon players b.v, the police. One of the worst phases of tlu: affair was the manner in which a 1 proportion of the spectators crowded round and urged the players on in their assault of the referee. Their action was no less despicable than that of the actual culprits and they have nothing to he proud of in connection with l an unsavoury incident.