Fed up with being abused and attacked, soccer referees have demanded they be covered by insurance by January 1, 1997.

And they have threatened possible action unless Bermuda Football Association heed their call.

Stuart Crockwell, president of Bermuda Referees' Association (BRA), stopped short of predicting an all out boycott, but it's clear that something as serious may be on the cards if officials fail to get the protection they now feel is necessary.

Bermuda Football Association have been advised of the BRA decision, a matter which will certainly be on the agenda (along with discussion of incidents involving referees in recent weeks) when the BRA hold a special meeting at Police Recreation Club tonight (7.00 p.m.) Also expected to be discussed is the referees' displeasure with the conduct of those players who watch matches from the sidelines.

And a recent article in The Royal Gazette in which referees were criticised by players has also reportedly upset several BRA members.

"If that was printed in any newspaper overseas, those players would have been charged with bringing the game into disrepute, but the BFA hasn't done anything,'' said one angry official.

In the article, Vasco's Corey Hill stated: "They (referees) come to the game thinking people are there to see them.'' Last Sunday, when Allan Pearmain was attacked after the west end derby between Somerset Trojans and Somerset Eagles, marked the second successive week that a referee had been struck on the field of play. And the incident has incensed the BRA to the point that they are taking immediate steps to review their position and demanding more protection.

"It's disgusting when you see serious attacks against referees taking place so frequently. This simply cannot be allowed to go on like this,'' said an angry Crockwell yesterday.

"We definitely intend to take this matter of insurance up with the BFA. What concerns us more than anything is that they already have a letter from us in this regard and they still haven't taken action.

"They know what the deal is all about. We are aware that insurance companies have already given them quotes for coverage of referees and nothing has happened. We want our members to be insured by January 1, 1997, and if nothing is done then we will then meet and re-evaluate the whole situation.'' The president said referees weren't prepared to sit idly by and do nothing while discipline on the field deteriorated.

"It simply will not be tolerated. I don't know what action if any will be taken this week in regards to the most recent incident. It's possible that we could take the same stand that we took against BAA by boycotting their ground until they made certain commitments to improve their security,'' added Crockwell.

"Our members are going out there and giving their precious time on Sundays to do matches and all they are getting in return is total disrespect. We have a lot of younger and new referees out now and we wouldn't like to see them become discouraged as a result of these incidents.'' Crockwell knows all about fan violence having been involved in a serious incident during the mid-80s when a former BAA player attempted to run him down while driving away from a game at Lord's.

At the time Crockwell was a young linesman, fortunate to jump out of the way to avoid being seriously injured. Undeterred by the incident, he carried on, rising through the ranks of the BRA to become president.

BFA first vice president Aldwyn Savery, himself a former top referee, said yesterday that the association intended to look into the matter as soon as possible.

"The BFA have always had the desire to have a comprehensive insurance policy that covers all affiliates and are taking steps to find out who offers the best premiums. This information was shared with affiliates and they were invited to give some feedback but only one responded in favour of it,'' said Savery.

"However, in view of these recent circumstances the BFA will again consider the special circumstances of the referees and look into the matter with the executive committee relaying their findings to the BRA as soon as possible.'' STUART CROCKWELL -- outraged by the increasing number of attacks on refs.