A soccer player was set upon by bat-wielding thugs as violence marred the opening day of the league season on Sunday.

Devonshire Cougars' star Shaki Minors was attacked by a group of men brandishing baseball bats, in front of hundreds of onlookers, after the match against Southampton Rangers at the Southampton Oval.

At least five Police cars, including one Land Rover, were called to the scene which one witness described as "an all-out war zone".

But Police spokesman Dwayne Caines said no arrests were made following the brawl as potential witnesses closed ranks and refused to give information to investigating officers.

"We can confirm that officers did attend an incident," he told The Royal Gazette.

"The combatants made good their escape and when officers attempted to gain information from spectators everyone was remaining tight-lipped."

It is understood that this latest incident stemmed from a previous, separate altercation and the aggressors were waiting specifically for Mr. Minors after the conclusion of the game.

The football star reportedly fled the scene with his attackers in hot pursuit down South Shore Road.

"This madness has got to stop," said a witness to Sunday's incident who wished to remain anonymous.

"Some fellows, with baseball bats just appeared out of nowhere and began attacking the Cougars' players as they tried to leave the premises.

"One player (Minors) ran away and the guys jumped into a car and sped across the parking lot and went after him.

"It's senseless and somebody has to put a stop to this sort of behaviour because there were a lot of children around who witnessed this incident. What sort of message are we sending our children with this sort of behaviour?"

He continued: "It has to stop ...all of this madness. A lot of these young players are caught up in negative lifestyles and when things get out of hand they carry their vendettas to soccer matches. And they don't care who is around or who is looking.

"What happened on Sunday marred what was a fairly decent game. Now, I'm not sure whether or not I want to go out to see another game if this sort of thing is going to continue. Thank God my kid wasn't around to see this. It was real ugly."

Bermuda Football Association general secretary, David Sabir, said the organisation had little knowledge of the incident as it occurred following the game.

"From both the club officials and the match officials' standpoint, no one was aware of the incident because it didn't happen during the game," he said.

"It occurred up in the parking lot and we've asked for some feedback over the matter. But at the moment we don't have much to go on."

This is not the first time that violence has marred the top flight soccer league in Bermuda, less than 12 months ago fans invaded the pitch at Devonshire Recreation Club wielding machetes, a Samurai sword, hammers and knives.

The ugly scenes were condemned by all in the sport with football authorities considering introducing surveillance cameras to try and halt the violence.