sentence for allegedly punching a referee in a soccer match early last month.

The attack on referee Ralph Tumbridge occurred during a First Division clash at Wellington Oval on December 5 between Paget and St. George's Colts.

The BFA have been privately ridiculed by members of Bermuda Referees Association for taking as long as six weeks to deal with the matter. And the BRA are now likely to be critical of the sentence handed down -- believed to be a suspension of less than one year.

The serious charges against Darrell alleged that he punched the official in the back with his fist as he was walking off to be substituted. But the player is believed to have defended the act by claiming it was not intentional and that he was merely throwing his hands up in despair.

Darrell's team-mate Jason Smith also faced charges for threatening behaviour following the incident. He was sent off, but there has been no word on whether further punishment will follow.

BFA General Secretary David Sabir was reluctant to give any official details of the disciplinary action, claiming that proper notification would be released on all disciplinary matters in due course.

Despite the BFA's delay in holding the hearing, Tumbridge has not been discouraged over the incident and has continued to referee. He could not be reached for comment yesterday.

BRA president Gregory Grimes was also unavailable, but he talked to Tumbridge after the original incident and said he was pleased that the official had chosen to continue.

"I spoke to him the very next day after the incident and he didn't view it as being too serious. He was satisfied that the BFA would give it the intention that it deserved,'' said Grimes.

He noted that this was the second act of violence against an official this season, the other involving an attack on FIFA-listed referee Stuart Crockwell.