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BFA insist: The show must go on

The rest of the soccer season will be completed on schedule despite Sunday?s gang violence at Wellington Oval.

But heavy security will be in place at tomorrow night?s Premier Division double-header at BAA Field where spectators will be randomly searched and ?absolutely no spectator cars? will be permitted through the gate.

Following a marathon meeting between Bermuda Football Association and affiliates at Police Recreation Club last night, Bermuda Football Association general secretary David Sabir announced all games remaining would be played ? including the Friendship Trophy final that was abandoned on Sunday.

That match, featuring Village and Eagles, was abandoned after just 19 minutes when youths wielding machetes and knives invaded the pitch and began attacking each other.

Southampton Rangers take on North Village in tomorrow night?s curtain raiser at 7.30 p.m. while in what will be the Premier Division title decider, Dandy Town go up against Somerset Eagles at 9.30 p.m.

?The executive committee of the BFA met to discuss the incident which occurred at Wellington Oval during the Friendship Trophy Final,? said Sabir last night. ?Deliberations centred around security measures which should be considered going forward. Obviously we received sentiments but we centred our attention around the remainder of the season and measures which needed to be addressed and put in place.?

Sabir added: ?We are happy to report that the administrative family of the BFA remains steadfast in its resolve to promote and to protect the game of football and it should be expected without giving in to those individuals who choose to disrupt and to destroy the good name of football as was the case yesterday (Sunday).?

Sunday?s abandoned final between Village and Eagles will now be played on Saturday, April 17 in the daytime at a venue yet to be decided, said Sabir.

?We will confirm the venue at a later date but we are definitely looking to play the game during daylight hours,? he added. ?In no uncertain terms we at the BFA want to send a clear message to the community that we are outraged with what took place in our sport that obviously had nothing to do with our sport.?

The BFA executive said another meeting had been scheduled for the end of the season in which the association intends to ?iron out? a strategy which will address safety and security concerns.

?What we are saying to the broader community is that they are going to have to come onboard in solidarity, not only with the BFA but with all agencies whose mandate it is to protect the wider community from harm,? Sabir continued. ?In addition, we have sent notices out to all affiliates stating there will be no spectator cars allowed inside the BAA gates and we are also putting in place a very significant increased Police presence and also looking at the subject of searches ? and this will be to any and all vehicles entering the grounds as well as spectators who choose to come out.?

Sabir said he was thankful for the general public?s continued assistance following Sunday?s chaotic scenes which left three men in hospital.