Security will be stepped up at Southampton Oval for Sunday’s Premier Division game in the wake of last month’s fatal shooting outside the club.

Rickai Swan, 26, was shot dead when a gunman opened fire outside the front of the building on Friday, October 23, prompting the Bermuda Football Association, on police recommendation, to postpone several Premier and First Division fixtures.

Swan was registered as a player with Rangers.

Police officers will be deployed in the Southampton area on Sunday for Rangers’ match against Devonshire Colts although they have not taken any special security measures.

“We are aware of Sunday’s game at Southampton Rangers Sports Club and police officers will be present in the area, but we have not considered taking any special measures,” a police spokesman said.

Gerri Saltus, the Rangers president, said the Southampton Oval will be a safe environment for both sets of supporters.

“It definitely will be a safe environment, we’ve worked with police all along,” Saltus said.

“Football games don’t have [violence] issues, but we’ll have security in place and will work closely with our community police teams so it will be safe.

“We’ve taken every precaution to make sure it will be safe and we encourage everyone to come out and see a good game between two good teams.

“We’ve been doing a lot of work at the club, both internal and external, and have a lot of changes coming down the pipeline.

“We do advise that we have put things in place to make sure it’s a very safe environment.

“We have worked with the police and have our own security so we urge people to come out and enjoy a great game of football.

“Teams generally get along, but it’s the social issues that we have to stamp out.”

Larry Mussenden, the BFA president, believes there is not a gang problem in local football.

“We are not aware of any connection of this incident to football, a team or member club,” he said in a recent statement.

“We refute the suggestion that there is a significant or any gang problem in football.

“The shooting was tragic and we, like all responsible citizens, wished it had never happened.”

Mussenden added that the BFA was committed to stamping out antisocial behaviour from Bermudian football.

“The BFA has an official written antisocial behaviour policy which mandates that players give permission for police vetting, clubs to vet their players and remove any who have breached the policy by any conduct whatsoever in the wider community and courts.

“Additionally, we have a committee that oversees the policy and has the authority to ban any players in breach of the policy. We have taken a tough stance over the years and all players and clubs know that it is a privilege to play football and not a right.

“We will not hesitate to ban anyone from playing football. Together, we will never let the criminal actions of a few miscreants spoil the beautiful game.”

The police, meanwhile, have acknowledged that the BFA, the Island’s sports clubs and the Bermuda Cricket Board are doing what they can to keep the undesirable element out of sport on the Island. They do, however, admit that there is still work to be done.

“The Bermuda Police Service acknowledges that the Bermuda Football Association and several of the Island’s clubs have taken many positive steps to reduce the opportunities for gangs to disrupt normal club activities and sports matches,” the spokesman said.

“Many of the steps are also being used to assist the Bermuda Cricket Board to deal with similar issues. However, recent acts of violence in and around sports clubs are a solemn reminder that there is still more work to be done.”

Colts are third in the table, one point behind joint leaders Dandy Town and Robin Hood while Rangers are in mid-table, just three points behind the top two.

Town, meanwhile, travel to Somerset Trojans to meet the league champions, as they bid to open a gap at the top.

Town and Trojans were both beaten in last weekend’s Dudley Eve Trophy semi-finals.