Top referee Stuart Crockwell's TV appearance in which he defended his decision to award two penalties to Hotels in Tuesday night's Friendship Trophy semi-final against Boulevard at Somerset came under fire yesterday from one of his fellow officials.

Richard Knight, a former vice-president of Bermuda Referees' Association, said that Crockwell -- who is president of the association -- was wrong to go public in attempting to justify his action during a ZBM/ZFB interview on Wednesday evening.

Hotels won Tuesday's match, thanks largely to the two controversial spot-kicks.

"I strongly feel that Mr. Crockwell's comments concerning the match at Somerset were a little out of order,'' said Knight of the Island's only FIFA-listed official.

"I feel that every time a referee makes a decision that the players/public don't agree with, that referee doesn't have to explain himself.

"I am behind all referees when it comes to decisions that have been made on the field of play. I am not going to fault any referees for decisions they have made. But there is a procedure one must go through, which is to make a match report to the BFA and let them deal with it.'' While quick to note that this was his personal view, Knight said his point was that the players and public had to accept referees' decisions as being final.

And he noted that Crockwell's position as president made it worse because he could influence other officials to go public in defence of their decisions.

"Whatever decision he did make I support wholeheartedly and everybody has to accept it. But for a top official to go public in order to justify things is a little immature,'' added Knight.

"I don't think any referee has the right to do that. Even the BFA wouldn't change a decision. One should just hand in their report and leave the matter there,'' said the Class Two referee who has been officiating for 12 years.

Knight believed that overall the refereeing on the Island this season has been satisfactory.

"It's a pity that many people don't want to get involved because of the controversies that take place. But the referees are trying to do the best they can. The toughest thing we are experiencing is trying to get the players and fans to accept the decisions that have been made and allow play to go on,'' he said.

When contacted for a response to Knight's remarks, Crockwell said he took exception to his colleague's views and pointed out that, as president of the BRA, it was his duty to clear up any misconceptions.

"The report in The Royal Gazette in connection with the penalties being awarded said something about I was up to my old tricks again and that language forced me to attempt to clear things up somewhat,'' said Crockwell, who has been refereeing for 15 years.

"As the president of the BRA I am the only spokesman and I will always speak on issues involving referees, not just myself, when it comes to clearing any ambiguities in regards to statements to be made. And it's mainly done to educate the players and the public.

"Yes, I awarded two penalties in that match and again I say that they were justified and only awarded because of offences that occurred in the penalty box and the offenders had to be penalised.'' Meanwhile, in a separate matter, a decision was made at a BRA meeting on Monday night for the association to rally behind Esten Curtis who controversially called off last Saturday night's First Division match between Hotels and North Village at BAA prior to the kick-off because of poor lighting.

Curtis was strongly criticised by BAA president Arthur Adams and officials of both teams were reportedly against his decision.

But BRA vice president Lyndon Raynor said yesterday: "We have met and decided to support Mr. Curtis wholeheartedly. The BFA had known in advance about the poor lighting at the ground and it's difficult to understand why matches are still scheduled there.

"I personally told the BFA about the problem after the very first game of the season was held there, the Charity Cup. And nothing has been done.''