An ongoing feud between young rival factions has forced Bermuda Football Association to scrap the Appleby Spurling and Kempe (AS&K) under-17 youth league.

In recent years, battles have been waged behind the scenes involving youths from the Pembroke, Warwick, St.George's and Somerset areas, a rivalry which has now spilled onto the football pitch.

And it's understood that, fearing reprisals for off-the-field incidents ? most of which go unreported ? several players representing clubs in these parishes have failed to turn up for away matches where they risked becoming involved in gang-related battles.

BFA officials agreed yesterday that they had no option but to cancel the remainder of the season for fear of further outbreaks of violence.

"The negative social behaviour seemingly associated with youth violence over territories (east/west/central) has caused great concern. The scheduling of matches by the traditional home and away method has not been easy in some cases. Some teams are finding it difficult to travel to certain parts of the Island because of this nonsense over territories," read a BFA press release.

"There have been a number of incidents of unruly behaviour amongst spectators showing up at matches to resolve their issues and this behaviour has placed players, officials and spectators at risk."

However, while league play has been scrapped, the Under-17 Cup competition will go ahead as planned and will be played on a round-robin format, beginning this Sunday. The final will precede the FA Cup final at the National Sports Centre next month.

The AS&K Under-17 league was comprised of seven teams ? Devonshire Colts, North Village, Devonshire Cougars, St.George's, Boulevard, Somerset and PHC.

This latest crisis in local football could hinder the Island's Under-17 FIFA World Cup plans later this year, although BFA youth chairman Gregory Grimes remained upbeat.

"I don't see it being a problem because we still have the nucleus of the previous Under-17 national team," he said. "So I don't think it should be a hindrance to the under-17 national programme."

Reports of violence in, at or near football venues have not been uncommon this season.

In separate incidents last October, a player each from Devonshire Cougars and Social Club were set upon by thugs as they left Southampton Rangers Sports Club grounds, the latter sustaining minor head injuries.

Violence also flared at Malabar during an emotion packed First Division encounter between Ireland Rangers and Somerset Trojans which saw four players sent off for fighting and a player from the visiting team allegedly set upon by a knife-wielding assailant as he attempted to exit the grounds.

All players involved in the on-field fracas have since been banned by the BFA while further punishment is expected to be handed out in due course to the individual involved in the off-field incident, said to have been a player from the opposing team.