The United Bermuda Party yesterday called on Larry Mussenden to step down as either Attorney General or president of Bermuda Football Association following Sunday's soccer violence.

Shadow Home Affairs Minister Maxwell Burgess said there was potential for a conflict of interest in Mr. Mussenden holding both roles.

Mr. Mussenden said on Sunday that as BFA president he judged there was no need for a Police presence at the Somerset Eagles and North Village Match at Wellington Oval in St. George's which was abandoned following running gang battles.

Mr. Burgess said there was a danger Mr. Mussenden's judgement as BFA president could conflict with Government policy on policing.

Mr. Mussenden did not return calls for comment yesterday, but Labour and Home Affairs Minister Randolph Horton said there was no need for him to step down.

Mr. Burgess also called on Government to reform the education system so that young black males caught up in gang violence can be educated enough to be productive citizens.

He said he did not think football authorities should be singled out for criticism over security arrangements because gang violence was a societal problem.

Ten people have been arrested over the battles, which saw young men armed with machetes, swords, knives and sticks, fight openly on the field.

"I will say to the president of the Football Association (Mr. Mussenden) to consider making a choice to continue to be the president and give up being Attorney General, or continue to be AG and give up the post of president of the Football Association," said Mr. Burgess at a Press conference yesterday.

"Clearly we can see a potential conflict. That grey line doesn't help matters and could add to the confusion.

"There is the potential on the one hand for the president of the Football Association and the Government on the other not to concur with one another.

"My prayers are with the injured, my concerns are with the traumatised, and my my hope is with the Police that they can come to grips with apprehending those involved in (Sunday's) senseless, brutal act.

"We as a society cannot sit idly by and allow this kind of thing to happen. What I witnessed yesterday was unacceptable and while I hear it was not considered a high-risk game, I would have thought we all recognise who live in Bermuda that unfortunately whenever we expect 1,500 to 2,000 young people, violence is a real possibility.

"It might better have been served having Police deployed in a way that they could at least observe what is going on," continued Mr. Burgess.

"I don't know what system was in place, but I know we cannot have the ability to continue to find 50 policemen once the situation goes awry and not find ten or 12 on the frontline to ensure this kind of thing doesn't happen in the first place.

"We have to be pro-active and we can't just leave public safety in the hands of the Football Association. I expect the Police and the public to play their role in public safety.

"We need to look at a solution. I saw Bermudian young men involved in activities that were unacceptable.

"They are products of our environment and the day has to be over for good when young males, and young black males in particular, go through the educational system without a sound high school education.

"If they are not coming out with GED standard how can we expect them to have equity and ownership in our society that acknowledges that even a first degree is not enough to get by?

"We have got to sort out an alternative solution now to allow them back. If it doesn't work for them, it won't work for us. We must start today saying we will not allow young males through the system without sufficient skills and ownership.

"The problems of yesterday were not a consequence of soccer, they were societal problems and I don't expect them to take a hit over that."

Mr. Horton said yesterday: "I certainly don't think he (Mr. Mussenden) should resign.

"He has integrity. He will do what is right for this country at all times. If anything, it's a plus."