Kicking Over the Traces

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 47, 18 May 1927, Page 7

Kicking Over the Traces

NAUGHTY SOCCER PLAYERS CODE GETTING ROUGH It would not be such a wonderful surprise to the spectators if, in a Rugby or League game, the play became a little rough, or even if a small bout took place between a couple of players on the field. Owing to the nature of these games the matter to a certain extent would seem quite in place and it would not be likely that the onlookers would hoot. But in soccer, the round ball enthusiasts say things are much different. However, at a meeting of the management committee of the Auckland Football Association held last evening the Birkenhead third grade football team was reported by the referee for misconduct on the field. It was decided to severely caution all the members of the team excepting the goalkeeper. It was reported by the referee that the game in the first place started 15 minutes late, but this was probably caused by the distance which the Birkenhead men had to travel. The main feature of the game was the Rugby tactics and continual bickering and questioning of decisions by the Birkenhead team. “I also had to dispense with the services of a linesman, a Birkenhead supporter, who yelled that his team could play 12 men as well as 11, and while watching a melee

in the Birkenhead goal-mouth, two players started fighting behind my back, but desisted when I turned round. 1 Stopped The Game And cautioned the players, whose names I was unable to get and being the last minute of the game did not order them from the field,” continued the report. He was sure that the Birkenhead players were to blame, as they played a most unsportsmanlike game. A player and the linesman concerned appeared, and the apology of the linesman to the referee and the association was accepted. Mr. Menzies said that the time had arrived when offenders such as these should be severely dealt with. His motion to suspend a certain player of

the team for two playing Saturdays was defeated. Referee On The Mat There must have also been something wrong in the Thistle-Newmarket third-grade match last Saturday, for a report was received to the effect that the referee had played a first spell of 45 minutes and had then made himself scarce from the ground for 15 minutes. In the second spell only 30 minutes had been played when the referee stopped the game without even consulting the captains of either side. It was hard luck for Thistle, tor after playing the first half facing rain and wind they certainly expected to do things in the second spell, but the game was stopped before they could do them. The game resulted in no score. The matter was referred to the Referees’ Association.