A REFEREE’S COMPLAINT.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 2750, 26 June 1924, Page 3

A REFEREE’S COMPLAINT.

ALLOWED TO LAPSE.

Mr W. Neville, referee of the Wanderers-Shannon match at Shannon two weeks ago wrote to the Horowhenua Rugby Union on Monday night, says the Levin Chronicle, stating that in view of the uncertainty of being able to obtain reimbursement of expenses for his trip, lie was not prepared to attend the Rugby Union meeting at Levin ns instructed to by the Union, in regard to the complaint against Jacob. In this complaint, he has stated that he had warned Jacob for unsatisfactory conduct and sarcastic remarks to himself, such remark being on the occasion when a free kick was given to Wanderers, when Jacob was alleged to have remarked, “What is this, a presentation?” He had tinted further that Jacob had followed him off the ground and used threatening language to him, and but for the intervention of the remaining Wander'ers players would probably ha ve struck him. Mr F. Robinson said this was a case where‘the referee has made a complaint and was not prepared to come forward to substantiate it. Be had himself been present at the match and had seen the referee follow this player off the ground threatening to report hjm to the Union and annoying him to such an extent that lie would not have been at all surprised if Jacob had struck him. The referee had followed him and told him that he did not care if he was Jacob'or who he was, he would see that he was -brought before the Union. j-

Jacob, who waited on the meeting, said that the remark complained oil by the referee as having occurred during the course of the match was 1 gaily addressed to a fellow player, who had offered him the hall when he was himself entitled to take [lie kick. He had been warned about this at (lie time, hut had not argued the question as he considered that il was not his place to argue with a referee during the course of a match. Afterwards he had asked, as he was of opinion lie had a right to do. what he had been warned for, and had explained that the remark was not addressed to the refeTee. Mr Nevi’lo got excited and had'folio wed him off the field, threatening to put h'm up before the Union. He had been annoyed and told the referee that that was all lie wanted to hear and that lie could go ahead. Air Neville had continued to fallow him still Hircaten’i.g to pull him up before Ice Union, and he, Jacob, had told lim to keep quiet or he would ] bl! his nose. He deni- 1 that he had provoked the trouble. Mr Robinson, in substantiatinghis previous remarks said he was present with Mr S. Austin at the match, end had heard the whole of! the argument, Mr Neville had followed the player off the field and had annoyed him by stating repoa!edlv that lie was going to put him before the Union Jacob had fold him to go away ' and as Neville had continued lo follow lim, had Hire a ■ tenefl to pull his nose, if he did hot let bun atone, lie was personally of opinion that if a riot had beer, caused, as was finite possible, it would have been the referee’s fault. ' Following a discussion, it was decided that as Mr Neville had not attended, the information lapse. MR NEVILLE’S STATEMENT. Wje submitted the above report to Mr W. Neville, the referee in question, and asked whether he desired to make a statement. In reply he said: “I submitted-my complaint re Jacob in full to the Union and was requested to attend the next meeting. I replied asking for expenses for myself and six witnesses. I received a reply to the effect that expenses could not be allowed. I therefore refused to attend in the •circumstances, the Union being in possession of my written statement, wheli briefly was that Jacob gave trouble in the field and abused me after the match. I deny absolutely Air Robinson’s statement that I started a conversation with. Jacob or followed him off the ground. I have had trouble with Mr Robinson and have bud to report him on two occasions and have been upheld by the Union. Jacob had on several occasions during ' the match made interjections; against my rulings and finally I warned him tnat unless he desisted 1 would stand him on the line. After the match he approached me and used insulting language within the hearing of numerous spectators. In-the circumstances, it .is my intention, to submit; the matter to the N.Z. Union. , ;•?