referee Ralph Tumbridge during a First Division clash at Wellington Oval on December 5 between Paget and St. George's Colts.

The Paget player allegedly punched the official in the back with his fist from behind as he was leaving the field to be substituted in the second half.

Darrell's teammate Jason Smith could also be summoned to appear after being red-carded for using threatening behaviour following the incident.

Although two weeks have passed since the incidents, chairman of the Bermuda Referees Association Gregory Grimes was confident the matter would be dealt with soon.

And he also revealed that Tumbridge had not been discouraged by either the attack or the delay in the hearings.

"I have checked into the matter and have been made aware that it is being looked into by the BFA,'' said Grimes.

"While we have every bit of confidence that it will be held in the very near future, the fact remains that we would like to see all discplinary matters dealt with quicker.'' "However, we have to accept the fact that in sports when you have volunteer people to round up for meetings the course of justice takes a little longer.

But I strongly feel that the committee will give the offenders due justice when the time comes.'' Grimes added that Tumbridge had not been unduly bothered by the attack.

"In fact I spoke to him the very next day after the incident and he didn't view it as being too serious. He too was satisfied that the BFA would give it the attention that it deserved,'' said Grimes.

Grimes noted this was the second act of violence against an official this season, the other involving an attack on FIFA listed referee Stuart Crockwell earlier in the season.

"We are not talking about many, but to be honest when it comes to assaults one is too many.

"We would really like to see us go through an entire season without one single attack on a referee. Perhaps that would be the incentive we need for people to come out and join our ranks,'' he reckoned.