Problems are continuing to plague Bermuda Football Association's Under-17 League, has learned.

With the youth league still in its early stages, at least two clubs in the four-team competition have already threatened to withdraw, a debate over venues for matches rages on while concern over a shortage of "fully certified" referees has again arisen to the fore.

It is understood both United FC and North Village threatened to drop out of the league just over two weeks' ago, prompting BFA officials to hold a special meeting last Thursday.

Only four clubs registered for the Under-17 league ? Boulevard, United, Village and Devonshire Cougars.

St.George's Colts and Devonshire Colts opted not to field a squad as the bulk of their up and coming youngsters are currently playing in the First Division while neither Dandy Town, PHC Zebras nor Somerset Trojans could find sufficient numbers and, as such, declined to enter.

Newly appointed BFA youth committee chairman, Cal Blankendal, said he hoped to finally resolve ongoing differences and concerns at a special meeting involving parents, coaches and BFA officials to be held early in the new year.

"Everybody is complaining and just blaming the BFA and nobody is willing to put in the time," said a disturbed Blankendal yesterday.

"Our main objective is to get the youth playing football again and I really don't think that is difficult to achieve. Club officials, players and parents all have to come together and decide whether they really want to play football or not. And if they do in fact want to play football, then we will all have to work together and come to a compromise ? that's the only way I believe we can move forward together all on the same page."

At the heart of an ongoing dispute between clubs and the association are playing locations for matches and parents' conduct during games.

There are some members who feel youth matches should be played at club grounds instead of school grounds, others going as far as to suggest all Under-17 games should be played prior to Premier Division matches ? as was previously the case before the Women's football league fully blossomed.

"That has been one of the issues discussed and I have also already spoken to the chairman of the referees' committee (Gregory Grimes) about allowing the Under-17s to play in front of Premier Division clubs or even in front of First Division matches," Blankendal continued.

"So we are trying to make a start to that but now we want to get together with coaches and the youth committee to see if we can iron out any differences."

Last season saw the Under-17 league come to a premature end after several teams encountered difficulty fielding teams as a direct result of outbreaks of violence between so-called youth gangs.

Teams based in the western parishes often refused to travel to city grounds and vice-versa.

"Although many concerns have been raised concerning the Under-17 league in the past, I think it's important everyone let go and come together," said Blankendal. "As it stands, coaches want one thing to happen while parents continue to disagree and nobody is willing to give in.

"Parents complain games begin too early while coaches complain they actually start too late and everybody is complaining but not willing to put in the effort and time to help resolve the matter.

"Everyone finds it much easier to lay the blame with the BFA when really all parties have an important role to play in the development of youth football in Bermuda."