Organisers of the Kenny Thompson Soccer Classic at Cedar Grove School are fearing that violent acts such as the one witnessed on Sunday will undo much of the tournament's good work.

The event, now in its sixth year, was soured when fighting broke out between Young Trojans and Robin Hood players after a late tackle resulted in some shoving and then a general free-for-all. A total of four players, three from the Young Trojans and one from Robin Hood, have been banned from the tournament.

With companies sponsoring the event and plans in the works to include overseas teams in the future, there is room to expand the tournament. Some 24 teams are taking part this year, the biggest field in the senior division as the event continues to grow in popularity.

"For the past three years it has really been catching on, and it sets the pace off for the start of the soccer season,'' said organiser Armel Thomas.

Thomas said the tournament was intended to generate a more friendly environment with less being at stake than in the regular leagues.

"It should create better relations between the players,'' said Thomas. "Next year it is in the making for international teams to be mixed with the Bermuda teams.'' Organisers are upset that an overseas coach witnessed the fighting on Sunday -- something which Thomas called "unacceptable''.

"We're a young organisation doing positive things and we're not going to let anyone destroy it for the youth. Some fans said we did the right thing by throwing out the players. We needed to make an example for other teams.

"Now the players (involved in the fighting) are showing some type of remorse but the damage has already been done. Violence like this is not going to help soccer at all, but it's going to shut the doors down for us and other organisations.'' The second round began yesterday at 6.00 with a total of 16 teams advancing, the top two in each of the six groups and the four best third-placed teams.

Monday's results saw In and Out beat Robin Hood 2-0, Young Trojans beat Colonial 2-0, Southampton get by Quality Street 3-1 and Team Chucky edge by Elite Choice 4-3.

Tonight, tomorrow and Saturday will be rest days before the tournament continues on Sunday with the quarter-finals between 1.00 and 4.00. The semi-finals are scheduled for next Monday and the finals next Wednesday as the tournament reaches its climax.