Two key Somerset soccer players and one from Wolves have been slapped with suspensions following a near riot involving players and spectators during a Second Division match at Somerset Cricket Club just over than two weeks ago.

Hit hardest was Somerset midfielder Michael Brangman, who drew the full wrath of Bermuda Football Association's disciplinary committee for his part in the October 8 melee. He was banned until the new year.

Brangman was deemed the instigator, retaliating with his fists after being fouled by Wolves' young defender Joey Rego near the touchline with the visitors leading 2-0 at the time. The action triggered a free-for-all with spectators leaving the surrounding bleachers and invading the pitch, causing play to be held up.

By the time the match resumed, five players had been shown the red card by referee Gregory Simons, including Somerset goalkeeper Keenan Tucker, Wolves' keeper Hewvonnie Baker and veteran striker Dion Wainwright, as well as Brangman and Rego.

Tucker and Baker have also been left to `cool their heels', with each being awarded three match bans for their roles, while Wainwright and Rego were only made to miss a single match.

Yesterday, while saying that there were no messages being sent by the length of the suspensions, disciplinary committee member Joe Stevens noted BFA policy in stating that such action by players was in no way acceptable.

"I think the BFA have already established that point. They're saying that that type of behaviour is not going to be tolerated,'' said Stevens, who chaired the hearing involving the trio in the absence of normal chairman Cleveland Critchlow.

"We were not looking at sending messages or anything like that. We made a decision according to what was presented and we will continue to deal with situations as they come.'' As for the extensive punishment meted out to Brangman, Stevens would only say that "it was the opinion of the committee that his actions warranted the sentence given''.

Meanwhile, an appeal has been launched by Somerset on behalf of Brangman in hopes of garnering a reduction in the sentence.

Club vice-president Colin Smith highlighted the fact that Brangman previously held a "clean sheet'' and it was the club's opinion that he was too harshly treated.

"We definitely don't condone anything like what happened, but we have appealed the decision, basically because he has never been in any trouble before and it seems he's being hard done by with the length,'' said Smith, who added that all players concerned had been summoned and appeared before an internal committee.

The match ended 2-2 as Somerset notched a pair of late strikes through Musceo Hunt and Anthony Burchall, nullifying two earlier goals by Wolves' striker Khari Sharrieff.

Two games are on tap for tonight at Somerset with surprise First Division leaders Southampton Rangers set to take on Devonshire Colts in a league encounter (9 p.m.).

The curtain raiser will feature a pair of struggling Second Division foes in the form of Paget and Social Club (7 p.m.).

MICHAEL BRANGMAN -- banned until the new year.