In a bizarre reversal of roles, the Bermuda Football Association (BFA) and football referees got the first red card of the season from players yesterday as the day's feature clash was postponed due to a lack of officials.

It was hardly the scene one would have expected on the opening day of the Premier League as players, club management and fans all left BAA Field highly annoyed that the much-anticipated match between two-time defending champions North Village and Boulevard had to be called off.

While there was much bickering over the issue - especially after Village considered playing with substitute officials and then declined - one thing everyone agreed on was that it was a horrible start to the season and a bad omen.

"It's going to happen every week. That's how short (of referees) we are. It hurts because all the players wanted to play and I wanted to referee but without linesmen it can't happen," noted Leroy (Curly Joe) Wilson.

The lone official who showed up said he thought Greg Simons and Tracy Adams were also assigned to the 3 p.m. fixture, adding that he had "no idea" where either was though he heard Simons had been sent elsewhere.

Meanwhile, Adams was said to be among three persons officiating a First Division game at Police Club.

"If this is the game of the day why is it only one official shows up? This game should have the best (officials) because it's the biggest game today," declared president of Boulevard Community Club Keithlyn Fleming.

His opposite number - North Village Community Club chief Shervin Dill - shared those sentiments, labelling it "a disappointing start to the season" and calling for "something significant to be done".

However, it was there the presidents' views diverged with Fleming contending the game could still have progressed with Amon Brown and Cornell Castle as substitute linesmen - one chosen by either side - while Dill maintained it would not have been in the best interest of football to proceed.

Almost half an hour after the scheduled start, Wilson met jointly with management from both clubs, Boulevard expressing a desire to play while Village said they would address the matter with their players. The latter and their coach, Scott Morton, ultimately opted not to take to the field which heightened tension between them and the opposition and sparked much verbal confrontation.

"We want to play - even without (official) linesmen. Both sides were going to pick one neutral linesman and then Village said they didn't want to play.

"We're very disappointed. We trained all week for this and we just wanted to have our game," said Boulevard's skipper Shaki Crockwell.

Morton explained his club did not feel "comfortable" having substitute officials as "the slightest controversial call would cause an uproar".

"It's highly disappointing. These guys - both sides - were pumped up for this game and have done a lot of work.

"The referees have to be held accountable. We can't wait until the last minute and have these things happening."

Dill backed his coach to the hilt.

"It's too much controversy for a game of this magnitude. The guys are already at each other's throats and the game hasn't even started. With this atmosphere it was in our best interest not to play.

"For us to have played would have put a plaster on the situation. If things don't improve (regarding officials) it will only get worse in terms of violence and confrontations."

Fleming charged that, as it was Boulevard's home game, they should have had the right to give the nod to substitute officials and that Village's stance set a bad example.

"If this isn't fixed immediately this will happen (for) the whole season because all that has to happen is that one official not show up and a team can decide they are not playing.

"The precedent has been set from the first game of the season."

Opening day league round-up

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