“CLOUDS OF HOT AIR”

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 57, 30 May 1927, Page 11

“CLOUDS OF HOT AIR”

CHRISTIE-WOOLLEY INCIDENT A SOCCER CONTROVERSY “It is evident that club feeling and elouds of *hot air’ have obscured the proper appreciation and administration ef the constitutional laws and authority of the governing body,” remarked F. C. Jacobs, past chairman of the Auckland Football Association, to SUN reporter this morning concerning what has become known as the Christie-Woolley incident. . Mr. Jacobs states that he has no interest in either of the clubs concerned. but is solely concerned with the impartial and correct administration of the laws. In his opinion the evidence showed that W T oolley fell to the ground, in a certain amount of c «ntact with Christie. Christie was observed to be making efforts to free J 1 leg, he being in a standing posi- . to n* e fr° r t: to free himself would mve been necessary had there been no holding, by leg or hand-grip, by Wool- . ‘ Woolley be'n free from responsibility there would have been ho incident. If the referee thought here had been dangerous play he was entitled to order the player concerned oft the field, but there w <s no evidence kicking or injury, and no complaint nud been made by Woolley. Mr. acobs was of the opinion that the *aore player protested too vigorously. On the management question Mr. Quoted Rule 13. which states hat it is the duty of members of the ouncil, officials of clubs. and referees. ° re Port to the council all cases of

misconduct, and the referee may he suspended or otherwise dealt with for improper failure to report. “It is therefore clear and definite that the governing authority has, and must exercise, these over-riding powers with reference to referee and players. It should be noted, however, that these powers relate solely to conduct and behaviour. The referees’ powers regarding the maohinerv laws remain unimpaired,” concluded Mr. Jacobs.