Amidst the current referee shortage, Bermuda Football Association (BFA) president Larry Mussenden has called for spectators to be more appreciative of the services provided by match officials and to learn how to accept their decisions on the field.

Just last weekend the BFA were forced to postpone the First Division match between Wolves and Prospect which was scheduled for BAA Field, while at Somerset Cricket Club only one rookie referee's assistant showed up for what turned into a controversial Premier Division clash between Boulevard and Somerset Trojans.

The current shortage caused sufficient concern for the association to schedule an emergency meeting last night at their Cedar Avenue offices.

"We are certainly looking forward to having some meaningful discussions with the Bermuda Referees' Association," said Mussenden before last night's meeting.

"We certainly want to address the shortage and hope to come up with some ways to alleviate it."

Mussenden noted that the BFA might decide to contact officials who had recently stepped down in a effort to determine the primary reason for their decisions.

He also called for an end to the verbal abuse which officials regularly receive from spectators and again pleaded for the public's support.

"I would encourage people to recognise that part of the shortage may be in fact due to the flack that the officials receive throughout the season which evokes the question 'do I really have to put up with this?' said Mussenden.

"I think that our spectators have to be more supportive and appreciative of the officials at all times particularly when they are forced to make crucial decisions.

"It takes a tough person to make tough decisions. So what we really need is for all of our fans and players alike to accept their decisions and move on."

As regards Sunday's match at Somerset, which was halted for more than 10 minutes while players argued with the referee, the president said he couldn't comment until he had received the official match report.