Ryan Swan has been banned from playing competitive football in Bermuda for seven years and his brother Wendell for two years -- but a top coach believes they got off lightly.

John Rebello, whose Vasco side were on the receiving end when the Swans committed the violent acts which earned their suspensions, said it was now up to clubs to get a grip on the problem of violence in soccer.

"For what they have done, I think the bans were appropriate -- maybe they should have been a little bit harsher,'' said Rebello. "What happened on the pitch was uncalled for.'' The violence erupted at BAA Field on February 7 when Vasco striker Dwight Basden was first hauled to the ground and punched by Wendell Swan and then kicked in the head while grounded by Ryan Swan.

The bans were handed down to the two Devonshire Cougars players by a Bermuda Football Association disciplinary committee which met last Thursday and made its decision public yesterday.

Rebello added: "Suspensions keep being given out, but the violence just keeps going on. We have got to get to the root of the problem.

"Maybe the clubs have got to look at their rosters and see which guys are toublemakers and to get rid of them.

"It's got to be sorted out between the clubs, the coaches and the BFA or it's just going to continue to happen.

"But whether there are five-year bans or ten-year bans, there will still be players who don't care and they'll still get hot-headed and hit people on the spur of the moment.

"There is an attitude problem in football. Players are not as committed as they used to be. We have got to put something on the table for the players.

That is why the games the national team are playing are a good thing. It gives the players something to aim for.'' BFA officials said yesterday the bans were intended to signal to players that violence will not be tolerated.

"I would think it sends a message to the footballing public that we intend to deal with these matters in this vein,'' said president Nevill Tyrrell.

"The BFA's discipline committee looked at all of the facts surrounding the cases and came up with the sentences that we have before us today.

He added: "If this is the position that unruly players are going to take then we likewise have to take a position which we feel is in the best interests of the long-term goals of the sport and the public at large.'' In addition, Galvin Butterfield, another Cougar dismissed in the same game as the Swans after his coach refused to substitute him, received a five-game ban for his antics. He was found guilty of unsporting behaviour.

The incident was viewed as being one of the most serious acts of violence in local soccer and the referee in charge Leroy (Curly) Wilson has indicated that he consequently intends to retire at the end of the season.

BFA general secretary David Sabir said: "You can tell that the majority of football players want to play football, but unfortunately there are a few individuals, who are the minority, who have not learned the value of the sport.

"As a result it is actions such as the disciplinary committee's suspensions which have to be used to send a clear message that football is not the arena in which violence should be displayed and it is not the arena in which violence will be tolerated,'' he said.

"If players insist that this is how they want to conduct themselves in football then the disciplinary committee under the auspices of the BFA will have no recourse but to issue strong penalties which will give all of the individuals who bring our sport into disrepute the opportunity to reflect on what they have done to destroy football during lengthy suspensions.'' The escalation of misconduct on the field of play has seen the disciplinary committee deal with several other cases during their last two meetings on February 2 and February 18.

Keemo Smith, of Wolves, received a mandatory red card and three match ban and was placed on probation for the rest of the season after being found guilty of retaliation and violent conduct during a game against Hamilton Parish on February 7.

Nathan Webb, also of Wolves, was suspended for three games and placed on probation until December 31, 1999, after being found guilty of retaliation and serious foul play during a game against Boulevard on January 17.

Albert Caisey of Boulevard was also suspended for three games and placed on probation until December 31, 1999. He was found guilty of retaliation and unsporting behaviour during the same game on January 17.

Vasco coach John Rebello admits a victory over Wolves tonight at Devonshire Rec. in their make-up First Division would take them to the brink of a third league title.

Vasco overcame what could be their last major hurdle on Sunday when they beat North Village 1-0, a result that leaves the Red Devils trailing the leaders by eight points. That margin will also separate Vasco from second-placed Dandy Town if the defending champions beat third-placed Wolves in tonight's 7.00 match.

"Sunday was a big victory for us and if we win against Wolves we'll be nearly there,'' admitted Rebello yesterday.

"If we win the game, we will be eight points clear of everybody with four games to play. And we don't have to play the main contenders, Village or Dandy Town, but they do have to play each other, so it's looking good for us if we just concentrate on what we're doing.

"Wolves are still in with a chance and they'll be looking for a victory so it won't be easy.'' Rebello said Vasco were down to 13 fit players on Sunday, as Meshach Wade and Dennis Robinson were both missing. The coach hoped to welcome back both players tonight.

Meshach Wade has recovered from a hamstring strain and Dennis Robinson's ankle injury has improved and both are likely to be on the bench.

The second game will see Boulevard attempt to move further away from the relegation zone when they take on Village. Boulevard have won their last three matches to move three points ahead of second-from-last Devonshire Cougars who are now favourites to join Hamilton Parish in the drop.