BFA determined to track down troublemakers
Bermuda Football Association will continue in their efforts to identify local troublemakers following reports of more violence at a match this week.
During Tuesday's Martonmere Cup games at BAA Field, skirmishes between a couple of fans broke out on two separate occasions.
And although BFA general secretary David Sabir said he had not received any official word about trouble at those games, he assured the Association were continuing in their efforts to weed out the cuplrits and ban them from attending future matches.
"No reports have come to the BFA office about problems this week but in terms of any sort of disturbances all I can say is that we will continue to put our efforts into identifying people who are continually disturbing the positive atmosphere at football games," said Sabir.
On September 28 during a Martonmere Cup game at BAA between Devonshire Colts and Somerset, Police were called to the ground when fighting among fans spilled onto the pitch.
Tuesday's incidents took place at the troublesome south-western corner of the ground during the latter part of the first game between Devonshire Colts and Dandy Town and then some 15 minutes later, just prior to the kick-off of the second clash between Devonshire Cougars and North Village. Two fans were seen to exchange blows.
Lyndon Raynor, who refereed the the first game, said the fighting didn't interfere with play on the field and he was only made aware of the incident after the match.
"Nobody drew it to my attention. Nothing spilled onto the field of play. But I did hear about it at the end but never really saw anything myself," said Raynor.
Sabir said that any incident, no matter how minor, concerned the BFA.
"As mentioned previously when the more serious fracas took place a few weeks ago, we are looking very seriously at the usage of closed circuit television cameras at grounds. The Ministry of Youth and Sports are working with us and doing some background on this. Hopefully in due course we will be able to put in place mechanisms that will automatically address this problem of violence and negative behaviour at our football grounds," he said.
"The BFA we would like to reiterate the point that fighting is not a part of football. FIFA asks for everyone to respect the game and that means both on and off the field and we will continue to press home the point that unless we stop this fighting, unless we stand up against any sort of fighting we are going to destroy years and years of hard work. We are going to destroy the enjoyment for our spectators and players and we are certainly going to destroy the future of our young people and I am sure all sports loving people, all football loving people, do not want to see that day come."
Security personnel were on hand on Tuesday evening but no Police officers were present.
Police have been prominent at some night fixtures but Sabir said there were no arrangements in place to have them turn out regularly.
"We are working as closely as we can with the Police Service, we are happy when the support is given to us by them. One thing for certain is that the Police have made it clear that they are not the security personnel for any event in Bermuda, and again when disturbances do happen, the Police have been very responsive and certainly we are appreciative of what they have done.
"Identifying the offenders from the September 28 disturbances remains an ongoing process, and hopefully in due course we will be making a statement about that matter."
Scott Morton, coach of Premier Division champions North Village, will have plenty to think about when his winless side take on another floundering team, Boulevard, in tonight's Premier League match.
The game kicks off at BAA Field at 9 p.m. following a Women's League match between Hemisphere Royals and Dandy Stars.
Like Village, Boulevard are also winless this season with two straight defeats.
Village have two points from two matches so far and hold down sixth place while Boulevard are cemented on the bottom without a point.
Morton criticised the poor playing surface at BAA following Tuesday's crushing 3-1 loss to Devonshire Cougars, but both he and Boulevard coach John Rebello must now focus on bigger problems within their ranks.
Action tomorrow sees Premier Division leaders Devonshire Cougars entertaining Dandy Town at Devonshire in a contest the former should win against another team struggling to find their touch.
Second-placed Devonshire Colts are slight favourites over Eagles at White Hill while PHC and Somerset Trojans might have to settle for a point apiece in their clash at Somerset.
The featured First Division game tomorrow has leaders Ireland Rangers away in a tough tie against St. George's Colts at Wellington Oval.
