An ugly on-field spat looks set to land a top footballer in hot water with authorities after last Saturday's heated Dudley Eve clash between Boulevard and Somerset Trojans was almost abandoned by match officials.

Premier Division leaders Boulevard were reduced to ten men just after half-time at Somerset Cricket Club when referee Anthony Francis sent Damon Darrell for an early shower for two bookable offences.

Soon after, however, the match descended into chaos when midfielder Melchisedec Gibbons' protests against a decision turned into an extended foul-mouthed tirade ? and when the ref brandished the red card, Gibbons reacted by spitting on him.

Outraged, Francis led his assistants off the field in the protest, and the match was only re-started when Bermuda Football Association president Larry Mussenden and other governing body officials came onto the pitch to plead for calm.

Playing against only nine men, Trojans went on to win the match 2-1 and advance to yesterday's final.

Yesterday, Mussenden insisted he had not seen the Boulevard midfielder spit at Francis because the alleged incident happened on the far side of the field from him ? adding that as president it was not his role to comment on disciplinary matters.

He also sought to play down the significance of the incident, arguing that the game was played in "a good spirit for the most part".

The referee's report is likely to be delivered to the BFA's headquarters early this week, before the disciplinary committee meet to consider it and decide Gibbons' fate.