In war, generals are expected to take a lead role in rallying the troops for the cause of victory.

And, as Secretary General of Bermuda Football Association, David Sabir has taken on that role.

However, while his is not nearly in the literal context of a life and death struggle, in volunteering his services as a referee and linesman Sabir implores the cavalry of former players and those interested in the well-being of soccer to follow.

"I love soccer and understand the passion a lot of people have for the game,'' stated Sabir, the BFA's top ranked paid employee. "I had a small role in actually playing the game several years ago, and it was something that gave me a lot of joy and personal satisfaction, and afforded me different opportunities.

"To be able to go out there and be a referee, to be a linesman, this is an avenue for me to give back. There are a lot of former players out there that have received a great deal from the game, but have not necessarily been willing to grasp the concept of giving back.'' There have been several comments by former players, fans and the media regarding the fall-off in the standard of play in recent years, which has coincided with a drop in attendance.

However, nothing compares to the drop-off in the number of referees. So much has the pool dwindled, that the BFA this season moved to schedule more weekday matches in an effort to dilute the number played on the weekends, so as to be able to have full complements of officials at matches.

The lack of any real addition to the core group of refs has no doubt been due to the amount of verbal -- and lately physical -- abuse the men in the middle come in for on a regular basis. But Sabir paints another picture.

"Refereeing is not a bad occupation,'' he said. "It is, in fact, quite an interesting occupation and it has its rewards, and that is that you are contributing to one part of the game that the world governing body has said without which there can be no improvement in football.

"That only will come by if we continue to increase the numbers of referees and if we people do understand the importance to the game, the importance to Bermuda of the referees. And if everyone comes to the football field with respect for each other as a spectator, respect for each other as a player, and respect for a referee.

"I believe that with the recent decisions taken by the affiliates to support the call from the Bermuda Referees Association that we, perhaps, will be on our way to doing just that.'' A problem though, is the lack of understanding of the game's rules, which contribute to the questioning of on-field decisions.

Further study of the rule-book, according to Sabir, would help in the enjoyment factor by both players and fans alike.

"Unless you have taken up the rule book -- the laws of the game -- and have studied, especially the changes made over the last few years, if you assume that you know the rules, you may be right or you may be wrong,'' he said.

"The challenge goes out to everybody involved in the game to actually learn the rules, and not to know the rules to be an antagonist at a soccer match, but to better understand, one, the position that the referee has to take and the decisions that he makes, and two, even to educate people beside you who may be ignorant to the laws of the game.

"In and of itself, we know that most people won't study the laws of the game, it's up to the Association to keep educating the public through public mediums on important aspects of the laws. The more people you educate the easier it makes the job of the referees on the field, but at the same time that's just one of the necessary things about sport, that referees have to deal with.'' Sideline general: David Sabir seen running the line during the FA Cup second round match between Somerset Eagles and PHC Zebras.