The Bermuda Football Association has described the violent incident at Southampton Rangers Sports Club on Sunday afternoon, in which a Paget player was chased with weapons, as “unacceptable”.

The Bermuda Police Service were called to the venue just before 3pm when a group of about five men, some of whom were armed, broke through security in an attempt to assault a player allegedly in retaliation for a confrontation at PHC Field on Friday night, when police were again called.

In a statement released by the BFA early on Monday morning, the BFA said that the issue is not a football problem but a societal one that needs to be tackled by a cross-section of the Bermuda community.

“The BFA is outraged by the incident that took place at Southampton Rangers Sports Club during the scheduled match between Devonshire Colts and Paget Lions,” the statement read.

“The actions of the individuals who stormed the field armed with weapons were reckless, dangerous, and completely unacceptable in any setting — let alone at a community sporting event.

“Let us be absolutely clear: This type of activity has no place in football, no place in our clubs, and no place in Bermuda.

“What occurred yesterday is not just a football problem. It is a Bermuda problem — one that we are seeing in too many of our public spaces, whether at Cup Match, Harbour Nights, our restaurants, school events, community gatherings, or neighbourhood functions.

“What happened yesterday is a stark reminder that we all share in the responsibility of protecting these spaces.

“The BFA condemns the attackers’ actions and will fully support law enforcement as they identify and hold accountable those responsible. We also commend the quick response of match officials, club staff, and the Bermuda Police Service, whose actions prevented what could have been a far more serious situation.”

The statement went on to outline the BFA’s willingness to review its security provision and to strengthen protections for both players and spectators.

“The BFA will not tolerate behaviour that threatens the safety of players, officials, or spectators,” it read.

“We are immediately reviewing our security protocols and will work closely with clubs, venues, and law enforcement partners to strengthen protections around all BFA-sanctioned football events.

“But safeguarding Bermuda’s community spaces cannot fall on one organisation alone. We are calling on the entire Bermuda public to stand with us in strongly rejecting and condemning this behaviour wherever it appears. This includes parents, supporters, community leaders and every individual who wants to see our island remain a safe place.

“Violence is not who we are as Bermudians, and we must not allow the actions of a few to overshadow the positive contributions of our clubs, our youth, and the football community at large.

“The BFA remains committed to the integrity of the sport and to fostering a safe, respectful, and unified environment for everyone who loves football.”

The incident at Southampton Oval is at least the third time the police have been called to deal with violence at football matches this season.

Players and supporters from North Village and Devonshire Colts were involved in a brawl that left at least one man unconscious after their Premier Division match at the end of September.

Just two days before the attempted attack on the Paget player, the Bermuda Police Service were in action at PHC Field to deal with disorder between spectators and Southampton Rangers players and supporters.

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