First Division game to be abandoned yesterday.

Opposing players exchanged blows while another threatened to use a piece of wood as a weapon as the game between Somerset Eagles and Ireland Rangers erupted after 65 minutes at White Hill field.

Referee Arthur Furqan called an end to the game, which was scoreless at the time, after players from both benches lashed out at one another.

The shameful scenes were believed to have started in response to an off the ball incident in the first half and after Furqan had disallowed an Eagles goal from the penalty spot.

The spot-kick was stopped by the Rangers goalkeeper and the rebound struck home but no goal was awarded.

"It's only fortunate that nobody was hurt, they were fighting all over the place,'' said one witness, who asked not to be named. "The officials were not involved at any time though and it was good that team-mates of the player with the board managed to take it away from him before any harm was done.'' Referee Furqan could not be reached last night while linesman Gregory Simons was unwilling to comment. The other linesman, Cal Simons, and officials from both sides were not available for comment.

Gregory Grimes, president of the Bermuda Referees Association, confirmed that he had heard about the situation and voiced his concern.

"They did the right thing by abandoning the match,'' he said. "Obviously the referees are human and are not going to get everything 100 percent correct, but you just have to abide by their decision. Nobody goes out there to cheat as people would believe.

"Referees are being assessed on a regular basis, but obviously we don't have enough people to assess every referee. We are working through the process and hopefully we will see the results.'' While several players are expected to face disciplinary charges from yesterday's game, St. David's player Lionel Cann is also likely to face charges for abuse he fired at linesman Anthony Mouchette following yesterday's Premier Division game at Somerset against PHC. Cann, who is also a trainee referee, was reportedly dissatisfied with Mouchette's work as a linesman.

Referee George O'Brien was present during Cann's outburst and assisted in attempting to restrain the player.