players put the whistle where the mouth is! That was the challenge laid down this week by Bermuda Referees' Association (BRA) president Lyndon Raynor, weary of the constant abuse and criticisms directed from the sidelines at match officials.

"Come off the bank. Step down from the bleachers and be a referee. Stop criticising all the time and lend a hand,'' said Raynor, one of Bermuda's three internationally listed referees.

"I say to former players `This game gave you a great deal of joy, now give something back'.'' Raynor, who is listed by FIFA along with Stuart Crockwell and Anthony Mouchette, was making what has become an annual plea for assistance, with the current pool of 30 officials severely stretched during the course of the soccer season, with some 40 matches on any given weekend as well as several night fixtures during the week.

He said there was a need for some 15 additional names on the books to ease the workload on the current batch.

With referees often coming in for harsh verbal abuse and the occasional physical confrontation, Raynor was aware of the lack of appeal of the job, yet noted that true love for the game overrode such inhibitions.

"When it comes to refereeing it's just like being a player or coach, you have to have a passion,'' said Raynor. "I have a passion for the game and I'm asking those that scream and shout and are labelled passionate fans by the media to step out into the middle if they truly care about this game.

"Twice I decided I'd had enough, but because of the way I care about the sport I came back ...I couldn't just walk away like that.

"Not everybody can be a coach or player or manager, but they could be a referee.'' The president added that the BRA executive were anxious to meet with the clubs in an attempt to foster a better relationship and promote improved understanding of the rules and cooperation between clubs, players, referees and the national association.

This has proven difficult in the past, with clubs appearing reluctant to meet with the BRA. However, Raynor was determined that any friction could be removed through better communication.

"It is our desire to meet and have discussions,'' said Raynor. "It has been a situation where they have wanted to talk to us only during times that something has gone wrong or against them in particular, like after a match, which is not the best time to discuss anything.

"We would like to sit down, find out what they want from us, and let them know that which we require of them.'' Raynor said some referees had been accused of taking drugs, something he stressed to be far from the truth.

And to that end, an amendment was made to the constitution mandating that all referees make themselves available for random testing throughout the year.

Meanwhile, also revealed were several rule changes that affect play on the pitch: Goalkeepers will now be allowed to take unlimited steps upon catching the ball, but must release it to the field of play within six seconds; coaches will not be allowed to stand in the technical area for the duration of matches; in games decided by penalty kicks where one team ends the match a player(s) short, the other team must identify a pool of players matching that number; the fourth official has been awarded the authority to advise the referee while matches are in progress regarding infringements and the like.