and clear -- "you are banned from the grounds at Southampton Oval for an indefinite period.'' The warning was issued yesterday by Southampton president Aldwyn Savery and likely prompted by the disclosure that Lewis' own club have so far not taken action against him after he allegedly threw a bottle onto the field of play at the Oval on October 29.

"Marvin Lewis is suspended from our grounds indefinitely. We have advised both Bermuda Football Association and the Police of this. This individual is no longer welcome on the club's grounds and if he is trespassing we will take the appropriate action,'' said Savery.

Privately, Southampton are understood to be surprised by the Dandy Town decision to hold an "inquiry'' before taking any disciplinary action, believing that there was sufficient evidence at the game between Rangers and Town to prove Lewis was the culprit.

Dandy Town president Elroy Ratteray has also said that the club were waiting on the BFA to lead the disciplinary process.

Southampton claim, however, that there was sufficient proof that Lewis was the offender. On the match day, their officials raced towards the exit to ensure that Lewis left the grounds after fans and players had fingered him for throwing the bottle.

"As far as we are concerned it was clear that he was the offender. If the BFA and Dandy Town take any action against him then we regard it as a separate matter entirely,'' said Savery.

With there being no specific time limit on Rangers' "indefinite'' ban, Savery said that Lewis would have to make a presentation to the club if he was to be reinstated at any time.

The ban imposed by Southampton means that the player is also banned from all other soccer grounds -- an undertaking adopted by affiliates to help stem violence in soccer.

Savery noted that one good thing that came out of the match at Southampton Oval two weeks ago was that both clubs had their presidents involved in preventing any disturbance from occurring while tempers flared among players and fans.

Soccer has received a boost of sorts with Class Three official Lawrence DeShields agreeing to come out of retirement after being involved in a shoving incident at Devonshire Rec. last season, while Tony Mouchette has also returned after a lengthy absence. Veteran referee Dennis Wainwright has also been in action this season.

Although grateful for their assistance, in addition to that of new English referees Allan Pearmain and Gary Cook, Bermuda Referees Association president Stuart Crockwell still insisted yesterday that there was a need for more officials.

"As far as numbers are concerned we are still at a critical stage, it's still early in the season and we have quite a way to go yet. We are definitely looking for more help,'' said Crockwell.

"One plus is that the courses being given by FIFA instructor Emerson Mathurin is going well. We had 17 turn up on Monday night and things are going really well. One thing I would like to see is somebody like Mr. Mathurin come back next year to give a five-day course.'' ALDWYN SAVERY -- Lewis `is no longer welcome in the club's grounds.'