Shocked by Saturday night's violence during the Martonmere Cup soccer match at BAA Field, Sports Minister Randy Horton yesterday hit out at those involved in the fracas.

“This sort of behaviour will not be tolerated under any circumstances, at any level, because it destroys the essence and integrity of sport,” said Horton.

It was during the half-time interval of the Devonshire Colts-Somerset Trojans clash that fighting broke out among fans behind the southern goal and then spilled onto the pitch.

And only after several minutes of chaotic scenes was order restored following the arrival of Police. But by then one spectator - believed to be former national team player Anthony (Toe) Dill, father of PHC winger Tokia Russell - had received injuries which required hospital treatment.

In yesterday's Royal Gazette, Bermuda Football Association (BFA) president Larry Mussenden warned that those responsible for Saturday's disturbance were now facing possible lifetime bans from all soccer grounds and that an investigation was currently being conducted by both Police and BFA security officials.

His condemnation of the incident won support from minister Horton, himself a former national team and professional player with the New York Cosmos.

“It discourages fan support as well as those who are financial supporters of the game,” said Horton.

“It is unconscionable that at a time when the BFA is working so hard to restore the sport of football to national prominence that a few misguided persons would seek to destroy these efforts.”

The minister called for clubs, players and spectators to make a concerted effort to identify those “who would seek to destroy the sport”.

“I call upon all who love sport to do their level best to ensure that those who would seek to destroy sport are brought to justice,” he added.

Horton said that his ministry had been working hard to improve interpersonal relations in sports.

“In January, 2002, at the Annual Sports Conference, I stated that I would introduce a National Sportsmanship Day,” he said.

“My staff at the Ministry have been working on this initiative together with the Ministry of Education. This initiative seeks to encourage schools, clubs, players and spectators to sign a pledge to improve interpersonal relations in sport and to honour and respect the rules of sport, to respect the teams that they compete against and to develop a Players' Code of Ethics that they will adhere to and respect.”

Horton added that this new initiative was intended to keep the spotlight on the spirit of fair play and respect for officials, administrators and support personnel.

Shadow Minister for Sport Cole Simons said he was equally disturbed by Saturday's events.

“Bermuda's sporting activities cannot and must not be held hostage by a handful of thugs who have little or no respect for themselves or the community,” said Simons.

“We as a community must do our best to support the Bermuda Football Association which is doing a sterling job in the development of Bermuda's young people locally and abroad.”

Simons suggested that should the culprits involved in Saturday's melee be identified, their photos be posted at each sporting club.

And he called for more Police presence at soccer matches.

“We must continue to beef up Police presence at major sporting events,” he said.

“With Police presence or the assistance of various security firms, our clubs could do more in the way of proactive crowd control measures.”

Police are still appealing for witnesses to Saturday's incident or for information on the identity of those involved. They would also like to contact anyone who may have video footage of the night's events. Anyone who can assist is asked to call Central CID on 295-0011 or the confidential Crimestoppers hotline on 1-800-623-8477.