Ref halts match after deluge

Imagine a league match being played at the National Stadium when a sudden rainstorm forces the referee to abandon the game with 10 minutes left to play.

Nowadays, we take it for granted that since the game was not played till the end then it would have to be replayed regardless of the score. This, however, was not always the case.

There was a time in the 1940s when the game would only be replayed if more than 10 minutes were left to play.

I cannot imagine something like this happening nowadays. It would be, to say the least, a strange decision and one which would surely provoke a lot of arguments.

It would also take a very brave referee indeed to shoulder such responsibility. Yet, a similar decision was taken in 1948 when referee Billy Mock abandoned the league game between Hamrun Spartans and Hibernians in the 80th minute.

Prior to this fixture, Hibs were leading the table with Hamrun Spartans and Valletta breathing down their necks. The Paolites' run of success, however, came to an abrupt and controversial end on December 18.

Hibs opened the score early in the game. After only seven minutes, Joe Pirotta passed the ball to his left-wing partner who centred to Cali. The latter fired the ball home.

The match developed into a thriller, full of first-time action with many thrills and spills. Hibs were masters of the pitch in the first half but after the break the Spartans really came into their own and soon turned the result in their favour.

Close to half-time, a free-kick by Bennetti landed near Sciberras who promptly flicked the ball to Vassallo and the latter beat Formosa.

Then, five minutes into the second half, Sciberras raced through the Hibs defence before shooting menacingly at goal. Johnnie Formosa parried, but the ball went to Gatt's eager feet who hammered it into the net.

Two minutes later, Buttigieg centred the ball into the area for Vassallo to head in the third goal.

Hibs did not give up. They kept coming forward in an attempt to force themselves back into the match. However, as the minutes ticked away it became more and more obvious that the game was slipping away from them. Then, ten minutes from the end, the rain started to pour.

Interest began to wane and when the rain increased and the pitch became waterlogged, referee Mock decided that he had enough. He had a quick look at his watch before abandoning the match because of the deluge.

It was a difficult and some would say a rash decision which certainly did not go down well with the Spartans fans who saw their team's advantage disappear.

Everyone expected the game to be replayed but imagine the surprise of the public when the MFA announced that the result was to stand as less than 10 minutes were left to play. Now the rules of the game were clear about this. Law 7 read as follows:

"The duration of the Game shall be two equal periods of 45 minutes unless otherwise mutually agreed upon, subject to the following: Allowance shall be made in either period for all time lost through accident or other cause the amount of which shall be a matter for the discretion of the Referee."

MFA rule

However, the MFA had a rule which stated that an abandoned game would only be replayed if at least 10 minutes were left to play.

Well, rules are rules and they should be adhered to in all circumstances.

However, it seems that Mr Mock, in his official statement after the game, had written that '10 more minutes remained to be played'. This was stated by Hibs' secretary, Rogantin Pisani in an article he wrote in The Bullettin of Tuesday, December 28, 1948.

Mr Pisani also claimed that at least 11 minutes were left to play when the referee blew his whistle and that Mr Mock did not add anything for time wasted.

Well, it is impossible for us after all this time to decide who was right or wrong.

But, would it not have been a wiser decision if the referee had seen the game through? Or else, at least, he should have waited another couple of minutes before sounding his whistle to make sure that there was not enough time for a replay.

Mr Mock was the best referee of his era. He knew the game inside out and he had the experience to back it.

He was not afraid to take decisions no matter the circumstances and this, at times, led to controversy.

Whatever the case, the rule was both strange and controversial especially in a game like football when two or three goals can be scored in a minute, let alone in ten.

Anyway the Malta FA learned its lesson and as far as I could ascertain, this rule was never applied again.

For the record

December 18, 1948 - The Empire Stadium, Gzira
League Championship
Hamrun Spartans vs Hibernians FC 3-1

Hamrun Spartans: Aquilina, Azzopardi, L. Portelli, Bennetti, G. Preca, Gambin, Gatt, Buttigieg, F. Andolina, Vassallo, Sciberras.

Hibernians: J. Formosa, Deguara, D. Edwards, E. Schembri, V. Formosa, Cachia, J. Pirotta, Gerada, Cali, F. Church, Hinds.

Scorers: Gatt, Vassallo (2); Cali.

Referee: Billy Mock.