Bermuda Football Association (BFA) and Bermuda Referees' Association (BRA) officials were remaining tight-lipped yesterday following Saturday's controversial decision by referee Richard Knight to call off the Premier Division match between Boulevard and Dandy Town at BAA Field because of what he described as "excess" rugby markings on the pitch.

In yesterday's Royal Gazette, Knight said it had been agreed by members of the BRA during a recent meeting that should officials encounter any additional markings on the field then the proper course of action would be to postpone the match.

BAA has been the venue for Bermuda Rugby Football Union's pre-season tournament played on Friday evenings. However, several soccer matches have been staged at the ground during which the rugby lines were noticeable but officials allowed play to continue as scheduled.

That wasn't the case on Saturday when Knight ruled that he couldn't officiate properly because of the rugby markings - a decision that stunned several of the players and spectators.

When contacted yesterday, BRA secretary Steve Wakeland said: "We had a joint meeting between the BFA and BRA and it was primarily a meeting to discuss the current referee shortage but I do recall the issue coming up which Richard (Knight) referred to.

"But at this moment I would prefer to talk to Richard first before I make any further comment on the matter."

It was learned yesterday that both BFA president Larry Mussenden and secretary David Sabir attended that meeting.

"I will have to look into the matter and when I can provide the public with answers then I will," said Mussenden yesterday.

BAA official Craig Smith said yesterday that no one other than Knight had complained about the rugby markings in recent weeks.

"As far as I know, no one lodged any complaint about the markings with us," said Smith.

"There's nothing that has come back to us in reference to that issue."

Bermuda Rugby Football Union secretary John Cassidy said: "The BRFU were never contacted by anyone and we were never involved in any formal contact with either the BFA of BRA regarding this issue.

"I'd imagine that the only conflict that the BFA would have would be with BAA as we made all of our arrangements with them and they would be in charge of making all of the markings for our tournament which we hold every Friday evening. So I would assume that they are the ones responsible for keeping the BFA happy as well."

Last night, chairman of the BRFU Dave Worsfold released the following statement:

"We have spoken to both the BFA and BAA and will be working with them to resolve the issue of pitch markings. We had used a reddish paint for our line markings and did not interfere nor change any of the football pitch markings."

One BFA source, who asked not be named, said: "The referee is the ultimate authority and if he deems the pitch to be in unsatisfactory condition then it's well within his right to call the match off."

As of yesterday BFA officials had still to determine an alternative date for Saturday's postponed match.