Detroy Smith, the St David’s midfielder, has been hit with a five-year ban for spitting at referee Anthony Francis, the Bermuda Football Association have confirmed.

The unsavoury incident happened during a Friendship Trophy semi-final between St David’s and Somerset Trojans at the Wellington Oval on Boxing Day.

Smith, 28, shocked spectators when he spat on the back of Francis’s shirt after receiving a second yellow card for dissent late in the game.

Larry Mussenden, the BFA president, said Smith’s lengthy ban sent out a clear message that anti-social behaviour on the pitch would not be tolerated.

“There is no excuse regardless of the circumstances that should bring a player or any person for that matter of fact to such action whether on or off the field,” Mussenden said.

“Spitting is a serious offence in a civilised society, in particular, the sport of football that promotes fair play and respect for each other.

“In this regard, everyone is reminded that there are rules and there are consequences for breaking the rules.” Francis immediately stopped the game after the incident, which has provoked widespread disgust among the football community, and headed to the changing rooms with the intention of abandoning the tie.

He was eventually persuaded to return to the field and resume the match by several BFA officials.

Smith, who joined St David’s from east end rivals St George’s in the summer, had scored his team’s first goal of the game, which ended 3-2 to Trojans. Mussenden said he hoped the distasteful episode was an isolated incident. “We have had no incidents of this kind for quite a long time and we trust this is a one-off occurrence.

“All players are reminded to respect the laws of the game and the fair play values that are exchanged at the beginning of each match between players and officials.”

Smith is not the first player to be banned for spitting at Francis. In 2007, during a Dudley Eve match, Boulevard midfielder Melchisedec Gibbons spat at the referee after receiving a red card. Gibbons was banned for one year.