North Village sports chairman Shervin Dill called on local refs to be more "responsible and concerned'' about the safety of players.

"We think the referees in general should seriously consider that these players need more protection during matches. The players' safety is in the hands of the referee,'' said Dill.

"We are finding out that a lot of our players are out there getting mauled.

They are having bad fouls being made against them and the referees are not giving them any type of protection.

"As soon as the players voice their concern they are being booked for dissent or being sent off the field.'' The team official was reacting to the decision by referee Peter Sousa to send off Village's top goalscorer Dennis Robinson after 13 minutes of Sunday's First Division game against Devonshire Colts at Bernard Park.

Dill and his team officials all felt that the decision was harsh and unjustified, claiming that Robinson did not use abusive language as alleged by the official.

"He didn't swear, we have witnesses to prove it,'' said Dill.

"The guy had a breakaway and was pulled from behind. The Colts defender had Dennis's arms and jersey. The referee ignored that and Dennis only commented `referee you didn't see him. He had a hold of my arms'. That does not warrant a sending off to me.'' Richard Knight, vice president of the Bermuda Football Referees Association, said last night while he did not see the incident he didn't believe a referee would eject a player without legitimate reason.

"A referee is not going to send somebody off who doesn't deserve to be sent off. It's in the opinion of the referee whether the player committing an offence should be sent off. No referee is going to send somebody off because he doesn't like him,'' said Knight.

"I think the referees are doing their job. It's just that the players, spectators and coaches are going to have to accept the fact that the referee is out there to protect everybody. He shouldn't be biased when it comes to any one person.

"We are trying hard to protect everybody and see that the game is played in accordance with the rules of soccer.'' But North Village felt the officials should be doing a better job.

"North Village are asking our players to adhere to the rules -- particularly the rules like tackling from behind and serious tackles. But we are asking them to let the referees be responsible for the game,'' said Dill.

He noted that it was particularly tough on a good player who is often targeted and in need of assistance from the referee.

According to Dill, there was a sense of "irresponsibility as far as the protection of players go in this regard. There are players who are being viciously fouled.'' Dill said that Village were upset over Sunday's incident and felt that many others involved in the sport shared their view about local refereeing.

"If the referees are doing their jobs properly they are going to get less dissent from the players and coaches. If the players ask for assistance they should not be sent off.''