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Rangers coach Jennings in hot water

Southampton Rangers coach Keith Jennings could be brought up on disciplinary charges for alleged violent conduct that marred last weekend’s Premier match between his team and Dandy Town at Southampton Oval.The ex-North Village and Bermuda midfielder is alleged to have blasted the ball at referee Stephen Allen after he had blown the final whistle to end the match 2-1 in Hornets’ favour.Jennings is also alleged to have threatened and hurled abusive language at the referee near the officials’ dressing room. It is believed there were others involved in the fracas that took place near the officials’ dressing room who have yet to be identified.It has also been alleged that Allen had a liquid substance thrown on his body by a fan on his way to the dressing room, located on the lower level of Southampton Rangers Sports Club.Tempers flared after Allen awarded Hornets a late penalty that proved to be the game winner.When contacted last night, Southampton Rangers president Randy Raynor held his cards close to his chest on the allegations surrounding his coach.“I can’t confirm or deny anything at this time,” he said.Last weekend’s assault was second on a match official at Southampton Oval this season.Hornets’ player Zaki Tuzo was banned for six games after being found guilty of threatening a match official with a boot following his team’s match with PHC.In the wake of the latest incident to tarnish local football, Bermuda Referees Association (BRA) have vowed to boycott officiating in matches at Southampton Oval unless security at the South Shore sports venue is beefed up.Representatives from the BRA, Rangers and PHC who also play their home matches at Southampton Oval held a meeting last night at Southampton Rangers Sports Club in the hope of defusing the situation ahead of Sunday’s scheduled Premier match between PHC and Boulevard at the South Shore venue.But as it stands the BRA’s boycott remains intact despite Rangers having apologised for last weekend’s incident, vowed to beef up security at their ground and punish those responsible for dragging the game into disrepute.“It was a productive meeting with regards to them (Rangers) increasing security and putting other measures in place for the protection of fans and match officials,” said BRA president Kuhn Evans, who has condemned the actions of those involved in last weekend’s fracas.Rangers president Raynor echoed Evans’ sentiments but declined to elaborate on last night’s meeting that lasted just over an hour.Meanwhile, it is understood that a number of BRA members are unwilling to officiate in any further football matches at Southampton Oval - at least until the end of the 2011-12 season - regardless of the outcome of ongoing discussions between the association and Rangers.However, Evans could not substantiate this claim last night.“I haven’t received any information to that effect,” he said. “But we have an open line of communication were they (BRA members) can call me any time, day or night.“We have a meeting scheduled for ourselves next Monday to comment on the status of the match on Sunday (last weekend).”Evans said his association is scheduled to meet with Bermuda Football Association (BFA) today for another round of talks which could determine whether Sunday’s Premier match between Zebras and Blazers will go ahead as planned at Southampton Rangers.Raynor said his club will also have representation at today’s meeting.