Reports have surfaced suggesting Devonshire Colts coach and Bermuda Football Association (BFA) Treasurer Ray Jones has been banned from all involvement in football for a two-year period.

But repeated attempts to obtain official confirmation from BFA were unsuccessful yesterday – four days after Jones' appeal hearing last week.

However, according to various reliable sources, Jones' attempt to have a one-year BFA-imposed probation for making "inappropriate remarks" at referee Ronue Cann overturned, failed.

But in another twist, a BFA appeals committee then upheld another appeal by Bermuda Referees Association (BRA) who had claimed that the Colts coach's initial punishment was too lenient and then imposed a lengthy ban.

BRA president Anthony Francis, who also serves on the BFA executive, confirmed yesterday that he had, in fact, filed an appeal against his BFA colleague's initial probation – but said he was unaware of the outcome of the appeal.

He said: "The referees association was concerned about the length of time that was given and so we appealed. We felt that based on the result of the disciplinary hearing the sentence was a little light."

When reached yesterday, Jones claimed to have no knowlege of the appeal committee's final ruling. He did, however, deny another claim suggesting he could seek a resolution via the Ministry of Sports Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) arbitration panel.

Jones landed himself in hot water at a November 2 Premier Division match at St. John's Field where he is alleged to have verbally abused Cann.

"After the match Mr. Jones said I was worthless and said he is going to see to it that I get suspended from refereeing. Mr. Jones' comments were highly inappropriate," said Cann, who could not be reached for comment yesterday.

"After the game he (Jones) threatened me by saying he is going to see to it that I get suspended – and I don't take threats lightly."

Jones was also charged with bringing the game into disrepute, but later had that allegation rejected by the BFA's disciplinary committee who were unconvinced by Cann's report that he had in fact done so during the November match.

Former Southampton Rangers coach Cann threatened to quit the game after allegedly being subjected to Jones' verbal abuse, but has since returned to officiating.

Jones was elected BFA treasurer last September after predecessor Andrew Griffith resigned.

Just weeks' ago the BFA vowed to clamp down on referee abuse in all its various forms.

"The point can't be made strong enough that we must adopt a zero tolerance for any negative behaviour directed towards referees," stated BFA General Secretary David Sabir.

"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 referees play in the outcome of the game."

Several years ago referees withdrew their services out of growing concern for saftey at club grounds.

"We (BFA) make a further plea to everyone concerned with the game of football to exercise some restraint and understand that the referee has a role to play in the conduct and control of matches and without them football will come to an abrupt halt," added Sabir.