Top local football referee Lyndon Raynor yesterday resigned amid heavy criticism stemming from last Sunday?s controversial Premier Division clash at Bernard Park involving North Village and Dandy Town.

The long-serving Bermuda Referees Association (BRA) member came under fire from Hornets coach Devarr Boyles for his handling of the top-of-the-table game that Village won 2-1.

The former Town and Bermuda international midfielder claimed Raynor contradicted himself in allowing Village?s disputed goals to stand, maintaining Ottis Steede?s own goal should have been flagged for offside while Damon Edwards? game-winning header resulted from a corner kick that should never have been awarded in the first place.

When contacted yesterday, Raynor said: ?I have absolutely nothing to say.?

However, Bermuda Football Association (BFA) senior executive Gregory Grimes confirmed the senior official?s sudden resignation.

?The BFA did receive a letter of resignation from Mr. Lyndon Raynor expressing his decision to resign,? Grimes said. ?It?s always a setback when we lose referees and especially someone of Lyndon?s calibre.?

Grimes said the primary reason for Raynor?s resignation centred around Sunday?s clash at Bernard Park.

?Lyndon resigned due to unjust comments he has been receiving as a result of Sunday?s match,? he added. ?Lyndon has indicated that he has had enough because his character has been brought into question here despite the fact I quite clearly explained to the public that the referee and his assistants both acted according to the training they have received.

?A referee can quite correctly overrule his assistant if he is in a better position to make judgement.?

Grimes was alluding to Edwards? header from a corner-kick which teenage linesman Daniel Tucker had initially flagged for a goal kick.

The goal arrived six minutes after Steede?s own goal was allowed to stand, although Village striker Ralph Bean jr appeared to be standing in an offside position ? twice.

Grimes continued: ?The number one reason the linesman is there is to concentrate on the offside. But if a referee is in a position where he can?t actually see the infringement himself then he cannot overrule the linesman.

?Now if he?s in position to do so, then yes he can overrule the linesman. That?s within the laws of the game.?

Earlier this week Grimes defended fellow Police officer Raynor?s calls, and 17-year- old linesman Tucker?s involvement in the match.

Last season saw another top official, Stuart Crockwell, abruptly quit the game.

Grimes added: ?People just don?t understand there was no contradiction on the part of Raynor. He did exactly what he was supposed to. I am very saddened to see Lyndon go and that things have come to this with the numbers (referee shortage) as they are.

?It?s really unfortunate things have come to this and until people have a better understanding of these laws then we are going to keep running into these problems.?