planned a full-scale boycott of the ground.

Executive members of Bermuda Referees' Association met on Tuesday night at Police Recreation Club to discuss Sunday's alleged assault by BAA player Yul Wade on referee Leroy Wilson and took immediate action to penalise the club.

According to BRA president Stuart Crockwell, the Bermuda Football Association and the club will be informed of their decision in a letter which was to be delivered to the BFA yestereday.

"My executive met and decided that we would not be refereeing any games at BAA Field until January 1, 1997, until BAA get themselves in order in regards to security,'' said Crockwell.

Crockwell noted that Sunday's incident was not the first time referees had been targetted this season at BAA.

Two weeks ago a referee's wallet was stolen from the changing rooms and in an earlier incident someone was caught going through the bags of officials, also in the changing rooms.

Crockwell said BAA had been informed of the incidents and had done nothing to improve security, leaving his association with no alternative but to implement the boycott.

He said he hoped the action would force the club to be more responsible and react accordingly.

"It's really unfortunate that it has come to this, but the incident of having one of our referees struck in the head from behind is very upsetting. We will inform both the BFA and BAA that we intend to review our position on January 1, 1997.'' The ban by referees will not only apply to BAA's matches but any games played there by other teams using the ground as their home pitch -- including Devonshire Colts of the First Division and any Commercial and Alliance Division games that are scheduled there.

The next game scheduled for BAA is a First Division match on Saturday night between Devonshire Colts and North Village.

Meanwhile, the BRA have taken the unprecedented step of warning all other clubs that if other serious incidents occur at their grounds involving referees -- most notably physical and verbal abuse -- during and after games the same action will be taken.

"We have to blame the clubs, they need to get their act together. They need to get their players together. The referees and all other officials need to be respected and protected. This nonsense has been going on for several years now and the executives of the BRA are taking a strong stand to stamp this foolishness out,'' said Crockwell.

"The message has to get through to the BFA, BAA and to other clubs that until there are substantial improvements made at BAA, in particular, in regards to security during games our people will not be officiating. We have to put our foot down firmly at this time.'' BFA General Secretary David Sabir could not be reached yesterday for comment.

STUART CROCKWELL -- BRA president heading officials' boycott of BAA Field until January.