the increase in violence.

The former New York Cosmos teammate of the legendary Pele said "soccer is an important game in Bermuda and had it not been for soccer I wouldn't be standing here'' as he spoke during the motion to adjourn in the House of Assembly on Friday.

Ironically, a regularly scheduled match would have started within minutes of the beginning of his speech, if the boycott had not have been called.

Football referees have staged a boycott to protest violence in the wake of a player giving a ref a broken nose.

"They should not have to go out and subject themselves to violence,'' Mr.

Horton said. "Where will these young people be (during postponed games)?'' Citing his example and that of English league professionals Clyde Best, Shaun Goater, and Kyle Lightbourne, he said the Island "must come to grips'' with the problem of violence.

"We can't afford not to have soccer played in this Country,'' he added. "I'm sending out a plea. Let's put our heads together. We know violence has no place. But this hits right at home at these young people.'' Otherwise he said, young people might be found "somewhere else that we don't want them to be'', meaning prison.

Appeal: Randy Horton