St. George's Colts footballer Mackie Crane has been banned for six matches for allegedly threatening match official Wendy Woodley during last month's Dudley Eve final double-header at Somerset Cricket Club.

The East Enders eventually prevailed over rivals Somerset Trojans on penalties in the First Division final. But their maiden triumph in the competition was tarnished by the behaviour of Crane who also faced charges of using foul and abusive language, aimed at referee Kuhn Evans, at a recent Bermuda Football Association (BFA) disciplinary hearing.

The former Cup Match fast bowler is alleged to have verbally abused Woodley near the club's changing room facilities prior to the kick-off and when informed his name had been removed from the teamsheet as a direct result of his actions he further verbally abused the referee's assistant.

Crane is also alleged to have kicked a barrier fence near the team benches and hurled his boots away in disgust before having to be restrained from approaching Woodley after the January 6 match had concluded.

Also currently serving BFA-imposed bans are Tuff Dogs and St.David's Warriors coaches Stephen Pett and Kameron Fox.

Pett, who has a history of disciplinary run-ins with the association, received a one-year ban for foul and abusive language towards the referee and failing to leave the field after being sent off the bench during his team's Commercial Knockout match with Somerset Extros at St.John's Field last December.

Fox was also found guilty of committing the above offence but escaped with a three-game suspension at his recent BFA disciplinary hearing.

Earlier this season Devonshire Colts coach and BFA administrator Ray Jones was banned for two years on appeal for an alleged verbal spat with referee Ronue Cann, prompting a clampdown by local football's governing body on referee abuse in all its various forms.

Commenting on the alarming increase in referee abuse, BFA general secretary David Sabir said: "The point can't be made strong enough that we must adopt a zero tolerance for any negative behaviour directed towards referees.

"This is a cause for great concern to the referees and the association considering the general feeling that times have changed and spectators, players and team officials have become increasingly less tolerant with regards to the role the referee plays in the outcome of the game."