Bermuda Football Association and Bermuda Cricket Board of Control might share the same office space, but when it comes to enforcing discipline the pair appear worlds apart.

While the BFA have been seen to deal with unruly players, club officials and even spectators, within a week or two of any incident, the BCBC has often waited several months before announcing disciplinary action.

And such delays are known to be causing concern among several cricketers. One such player, Lyndon Raynor of Southampton Rangers, was recently suspended for six games (to take effect at the start of the 1995 season) for kicking down the stumps during a game against Social Club at Southampton Oval back on May 7.

Shortly afterwards Robin Swan of Somerset Bridge, charged with swearing and threatening behaviour towards an umpire during a game against Police at White Hill on June 12, was suspended for two years.

Raynor warned this week that the public were becoming fed up with the manner in which the BCBC were dealing with discipline.

"They simply have to act quicker. If not people are just not going to have any faith in the system,'' said Raynor, who as a soccer referee is well aware of how discipline is handled by the BFA.

"The BFA seem to know what they are doing. They act quicker because they appear to be more organised. I have seen occasions when an incident has happened in soccer on a Sunday and within a week the procedure for disciplinary action has begun.

"But in comparison the Board will get a complaint from an umpire and that's the last you hear about it.'' Southampton Rangers' captain Keith Wainwright said recently the BCBC's delayed action in suspending Raynor had come as no surprise. "It's consistent with bad leadership,'' he said.

An irritated Swan, who is still awaiting news of his appeal date, remains upset over the Board's handling of his case.

"When I went before them to plea they said they would get back to me with a date for the hearing, but it turned out they didn't get back to me until near the end of the season.

"It's so crazy. They initially said that it was a serious offence and that they would have to deal with it. But I really don't think they are organised when it comes to dealing with things like this.'' In sharp contrast, most soccer players who allegedly break the rules learn of their fate quickly. The BFA schedule meetings of the disciplinary committee once a week to review cases of misconduct.

Just over two weeks ago Winston (Bummy) Martin, a member of Devonshire Lions, was reported to have struck a referee. He has already been subjected to a hearing, and banned for three years from all local football.

Director of Referees Aldwyn Savery said he was generally pleased with the BFA's methods, although there was "always room for improvement''. He added that the new system regarding cautions and ejections made it easier to administer justice where required.

"I think that particularly last season and the beginning of this season they've (BFA) been doing pretty well in getting cases heard,'' said Savery, a longtime referee. "The process is very systematic and the only time there may be delays are where players or committee members are not available.

"Now the players who really misbehave are likely to spend more time off the field under the new system, which allows them to be identified a lot easier.'' Members of Bermuda Cricket Umpire's Association, apparently fearing repercussions, would not comment on the Board's handling of disciplinary matters but privately they are known to be upset.

It was the Board's lack of action against players that directly led to George Trott refusing to umpire matches during the 1993 season. And when then president Randy Butler voiced his displeasure on the matter and criticised the Board for other lapses, he was promptly suspended without a hearing.

The BCBC appeared to deal with Bailey's Bay trio Noel Gibbons, Charlie Marshall and Terry Burgess quicker than normal, but even this drew criticism.

"That's the quickest I have ever seen the Board act. Maybe it was because they are high profile players,'' suggested Raynor.