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Search forDowns League refs threaten strike after Tigers are reinstated
Wednesday, November 12, 2008, 23:35
Downs League referees secretary Steve Elsom admitted he had a mandate for possible action by all 30 officials, many of whom voted to boycott any games played by the Tigers. The Tigers were suspended following an incident which left Retainers A player Mark Fitzgibbon in hospital.
"It's there in place when I give the go-ahead. All referees will withdraw for one day," said Elsom.
"We had a secret ballot where 28 of the 30 referees said they wouldn't referee their games.
"We have got to make a stand but we have to remember there are three divisions in which they don't play.
"But I have to protect my younger lads.
"I have three 16-year-olds and a 17-year-old. One of the younger lads refereed one of their games three weeks before the incident (with Retainers A) took place, and one of their players went face to face with him, and he came back petrified.
"They have got away scot free. We're getting penalised by them coming back into the league. And I've got to provide a referee?
"If it does happen it will be the whole fixture list affected.
"I have to see if it's legal or not first. But fixtures will go ahead, they will just have to provide their own referees.
"This is our way of saying 'Hang on a minute, we're trying to do this respect campaign, but where is the respect for the referee'?"
The monthly meeting of the league's committee and member clubs started with chairman Bob Sampson asking for a vote of confidence from the respective clubs, which they gained with a vote of 30-4.
And after months of liaising with the Gloucestershire Football Association, and campaigning to be reinstated to the league, the Tigers offered to postpone their return until next season.
It looks likely, however, that the Tigers' first game of the season will be against TM Lion, on Saturday, November 22.
Club secretary Syed Haque said: "The main thing is I wanted to see the league go in the right direction.
"I didn't want to see the fixture secretary or anyone getting any grief.
"The players are very happy and we're looking forward to playing again.
"Hopefully we will be back up there playing the game as we have been for the past eight years."
When asked if the Tigers would be making a formal apology to Retainers A player Fitzgibbon, who received eye injuries as a result of the incident in question last season, Haque added: "I would do everything possible. I'm not one to hold grudges or anything. Something happened, it wasn't my fault.
"I would apologise in person, and on behalf of the club itself."
Vice-chairman of the league, Bill Arthur, said: "We have been instructed by the GFA that we have to let the Bengal Tigers back into the league.
"I'm disappointed at the GFA. The annoying thing is the Bengal Tigers had a suspended fine for threatening a young referee, then there was the fracas.
"A number of committee members have received letters from the Bengal Tigers threatening them with court action if they didn't carry out their duty in reinstating them. Officers of the league do this voluntarily.
"I'm lucky as vice chairman that I didn't receive a letter, but if a letter had come to me, it would have gone straight to my solicitor."
Roberto Maestri, vice secretary of the Retainers, who have more than one team in the Bristol Downs League, said the club have been promised a letter of apology.
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