Local soccer is again faced with a shortage of officials.

And this weekend's first full schedule of matches for the season could suffer through what has become a perennial problem.

Bermuda Football Association referees' committee chairman Gregory Grimes admitted that the shortage would likely mean that some Division One matches would have to go ahead without linesmen, although all games in the Premier Division on Sunday should have a full complement of officials.

In all probability, the lack of available bodies will also affect the Commercial League when it kicks off a new campaign on Saturday.

Referees are expected to be appointed for all games but qualified referee's assistants (linesmen) remain in short supply and it could be left to the clubs to fill that void themselves.

"We are definitely not going to have all of our members available for the start of the season, that's for sure," said Grimes this week.

"We have one or two regulars out of the Island while a few others are simply unavailable because of work commitments. So we will have to do the best we can even with there continuing to be an overall shortage numbers wise."

According to Grimes, club affiliates were updated about the shortage during last week's annual general meeting and were asked to show their support by supplying capable people to act as referee's assistants.

He admitted, however, that there would continue to be problems throughout the season as only a total of 24 registered referees would be available for all matches.

"The fact of the matter is that we probably will rarely have 24 available and to have less will be a real strain, but we will strive to do the best we can with what's available.

"We have three new people who have come on board, but that's just not enough as much as we are pleased to have them join the ranks of officiating," said Grimes.

One senior official who will not be seen in action during the first few weeks of the season is Calvin Simons who is currently attending a referees' course in England.