Grappling with rules at Cumberland and Westmorland Wrestling event (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Grappling with rules at Cumberland and Westmorland Wrestling event

12:20pm Friday 28th August 2009 in

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THERE are just days to go until one of Cumbria’s biggest sporting events gets under way – and a row has already broken out in the wrestling ring.

A competitor has threatened legal action if judges are not banned from adjudicating family members in bouts of Cumberland and Westmorland Wrestling at Sunday’s Grasmere Sports.

Former Lakeland Sportsman of the Year, Joe Threlfall, 46, says relatives cannot be unbiased and should be barred from matches involving family members.

But match organisers say there are too few people involved in the traditional sport to prevent it.

“When there is prize money involved there are ethical and moral issues to think about,” said Mr Threlfall, who is from Preston but has been competing in Cumbria since 1969.

“I have spoken to Grasmere Sports and I have told them in no uncertain terms that I will take legal action if they don’t put a stop to it (letting relatives judge). I am very, very annoyed.”

Chairman of the Cumberland and Westmorland Wrestling Association, Jim Bland, who will be among the judges at Sunday’s sports, said rules had been changed to prevent immediate family refereeing relatives but that uncles and grandparents were still free to take part.

“Years ago there were many more competitors and it was easier to ensure families didn’t cross over, we don’t have the same number of people involved in the sport,” he said.