Night matches may be axed by Bermuda Football Association over fears that football grounds are becoming battle grounds at which hooligans settle personal vendettas.

BFA officials are scheduled to hold a special meeting tonight where the issue of violence at local football grounds is expected to dominate the proceedings.

“My concern is that this could be another avenue for some of this violence to continue if we don't have these venues properly secured,” said a BFA spokesperson yesterday.

“We have already discussed the matter, but not in full, because at the moment we don't have any night fields up and running.

“Even though we are presently experiencing outbreaks of violence at certain fields, I don't think it is as bad.

“However, some of our fields are poorly lit and it's almost impossible to see everything that is going on and this could very well encourage further outbreaks of violence to occur at night.”

Last week the Association held high-level discussions with Police officials, while Government recently backed BFA president Larry Mussenden's recent calls for tougher legislation which would make all sporting grounds increased penalty zones.

Translated, this would mean all persons found guilty of committing random acts of violence or drug offences at or near sports facilities will receive stiffer punishment and greater fines than if they had committed a similar offence elsewhere.

Sports Minister Dale Butler also renewed calls last week for surveillance cameras to be erected at all club grounds.

There have been several recent incidents in which players have been set upon by bat-wielding thugs at soccer matches.

Last month Devonshire Cougars' player Shaki Minors and a 28-year-old player from Social Club were assaulted in the car park at Southampton Rangers Sports Club as they exited the grounds. Both incidents were said to have stemmed from a previous altercation.

And last year, a gang of armed thugs with machetes, baseball bats and what appeared to be a Samurai sword wreaked havoc at Devonshire Recreation Club during a night clash.

On Tuesday, a minor incident involving a group of young men occurred just prior to the start at the Martonmere Cup semi-final at the National Sports Centre.

An altercation broke out in the grandstand between several youths but was quickly quashed as Police, present at the match, moved in to restore calm.

At least one of the perpetrators was later seen inside the ground wearing different attire in a bid to avoid being detected by Police.

“Originally he had on a blue and yellow shirt and then he switched shirts with another guy,” said one witness, also present at the match.

“They swapped shirts so that the Police wouldn't know who they were looking for I gather.

“They had earlier been involved in a scuffle and then the Police arrived and everyone scattered. But minutes later they came back wearing different coloured clothing.”