stinging, two-year suspension by the Bermuda Football Association (BFA).

The penalty was issued to the unruly player by a BFA disciplinary committee for his part in a melee following the March 9 Friendship Trophy match between Colts and PHC at BAA field, which ended in violence, most of which was caught on videotape.

Though not admissible as evidence, on the tape Wade was seen to deliver a blow to the face of PHC coach Jack Castle following a verbal exchange between the pair.

Compounding matters for the talented, but often misguided player was the fact that he did not even bother to appear for the Wednesday night hearing and this did not help his case any.

Meanwhile, there were conflicting reports on the punishment dealt to team-mate Jay Bean.

One source talked of a one-year ban for the player believed to have started the fracas when he was to have threatened PHC goalkeeper Carlyle Crockwell with a helmet. Another report indicated that Bean would merely be required to miss three games.

On the PHC side, Crockwell was handed a five-game suspension and charges for bringing the game into disrepute against Castle were dropped for lack of evidence.

BFA prosecutor Carlton (Pepe) Dill refused comment on the suspensions yesterday, saying that the clubs would have to be notified before any official statement could be made.

Castle said that he thought fair decisions were made, but criticised the association for its handling of his case.

"I just thought the hearing was disorganised,'' said Castle. "They had me charged for one thing -- bringing the game into disrepute -- and when I got there they wanted to charge me for another, fighting with Jay Bean.

"They're definitely just decisions (for he and Crockwell). But I feel that it is a coach's and club official's responsibility to make things clear to players that even though they may be there as spectators, they are still liable to be booked or come under disciplinary action as they are registered players.'' At the time neither Bean nor Wade were involved in the game, with the former out injured, while the latter had been substituted earlier and had changed into street clothes.