SO, who's running local soccer? Bermuda Football Association or a bunch of young thugs?

It's a question some might ask following news this week that the BFA have had to scrap the under-17 league because of escalating violence.

So-called gang or turf wars have apparently reached the point where players are unwilling to travel from one parish to the next for fear of being set upon.

Amazing isn't it? This isn't Los Angeles, Chicago or Miami. It's tiny Bermuda and we're allowing a small group of teenage punks to rule the roost. We're left watching as the minority dictate to the majority.

The message we're sending them is: 'We give up ? you win'.

Bermuda Football Association, the clubs, the referees . . . they all need to play a part in enforcing discipline.

But, to be fair, they shouldn't have to shoulder the blame for what's happening within youth soccer.

Discipline starts at home. And it's the parents of these young troublemakers who are almost wholly responsible for the ridiculous state of affairs football now finds itself in.

The under-17 league is supposedly the final stepping stone to senior soccer, the last bridge for teenagers to cross before competing in the 'big' league. And while it hasn't been as well supported by the clubs as it should have been ? there were just seven teams in the division this season ? it remains a significant part of the BFA programme.

That the governing body have now had to cancel all remaining games really says an awful lot about the society in which we live.

If the parents can't control their kids, what chance the rest of us.

One can hardly blame the stance taken by PHC coach Jack Castle who gave up on his youth charges some time ago. Trying to coach soccer while at the same time instil discipline became, he said, an exercise in futility. The constant fighting, he said, was "unbearable".

Violence on and off the field made his job more trouble than it was worth, and from what he told this week, it appeared clear he was offered little or no assistance whatsoever from the players' parents.

If half a dozen or so from each club were prepared to help out at every game, then those causing the problems could be quickly weeded out and sent packing.

Sports Minister Dale Butler mentioned this week that money offered to Bermuda Lawn Tennis Association to fund this year's Davis Cup campaign had initially been earmarked for 'Policing' youth games.

But was that really necessary?

Shouldn't the clubs with the help of the players' parents be able to run a junior football league without Police intervention? Haven't Police got better things to do than watch over a bunch of unruly kids.

Has the situation really got so out of control that we're allowing these self-acclaimed teenage tough guys to dictate the terms on which soccer is played?

If it has, it's a sorry state of affairs.

Every parent who has a child playing in the Under-17 league needs to take a close look at their own contribution.

And if they're not making one, they can consider themselves a part of the problem.