A remorseful Melchisedec Gibbons took full responsibility yesterday for his behaviour that nearly led to last month’s Premier’s Dudley Eve Trophy match between his team, Boulevard, and Somerset Trojans being abandoned at Somerset Cricket Club.

With his side already reduced to playing with ten men, Blazers’ inspirational midfielder was then sent off early in the second half after arguing against a call and then spitting at referee and Bermuda Referees Association (BRA) president Anthony Francis.

Trojans won the match 2-1 and eventually went on to win a first Dudley Eve title in 12 years and protect their unbeaten streak against Devonshire Cougars in cup finals.

Yesterday, Gibbons, who has submitted written apologies to Bermuda Football Association and the BRA, publicly apologised for his actions, and said he was prepared to do whatever it took to make amends and put the whole ordeal behind him.

“I take full responsibility for my wrong . . . I just had a sudden rush of blood to the head and reacted in the wrong way. And I apologise for my actions,” Gibbons told The Royal Gazette.

“I can be a very hyper player at times, but I’ve never been sent off before. This was the first time this has ever happened to me and I do feel bad about it — I haven’t even been to training since.

“My coach (John Rebello) encourages me to come out, but the way I feel about everything I don’t really want to come around. I haven’t even been around my team-mates and this whole thing has taken a toll on me.

“I consider myself as a fair player and I never try to hurt anyone intentionally. I play fair and so whenever people do dirt and get away with it, it really frustrates me.”

Gibbons, who will miss Blazers’ crucial league clash tomorrow night against Devonshire Cougars at the Den, then gave his version of the events that led to his dismissal.

“I had possession of the ball when I was tackled hard. The referee (Francis) had the whistle up to his mouth but removed it as I was still able to get the ball off to my team-mate,” he explained.

“But afterwards the referee didn’t even warn the Somerset player who had tackled me, let alone give him a card. And this in turn frustrated me because I had just seen him give my team-mate (Damon Darrell) a card for a lesser offence.

“All I said was that ‘you are unfair and are a cheat’. But then I just lost it and spat down. I really didn’t intend to disrespect the referee.

“Unfortunately some things just happen in the heat of the moment, but I am sorry for what I did — no matter what happens to me now.”

BRA president Francis confirmed yesterday that his association had already submitted their report on the matter to the BFA, and were now awaiting to see what course of action football’s governing body decide to take.

“From my standpoint personally and the Bermuda Referees Association’s standpoint this is a football related matter which is being dealt with by the officiating body of football,” Francis said.

“I personally am not holding anything against the player, but just waiting for football to deal with the matter as they deem fit.”

Francis did warn, however, that the BRA could take further action if they deemed the BFA’s final ruling over the matter to be “unsatisfactory”.

“There could be further steps taken,” he added. “But until football does what football does, there’s nothing else we can do.”