Bermuda Football Association are continuing their crackdown on the game's bad boys . . . and girls.

For the first time yesterday, soccer's local governing body decided to disclose the names of youth players who have been punished for unruly behaviour.

And, unusually, they also took action against a club who they deemed responsible for the behaviour of one of their female spectators.

BFA chairman of youth league and competitions Gregory Grimes told The Royal Gazette that . . . "football's status as a beautiful game was being challenged whenever fair play wasn't being observed."

And he added: "It is for good reason that we must continue to demand everyone to respect the rules that govern the way we play our sport."

Grimes was speaking in the wake of the recent suspensions handed down to youth players Sullyman Bashir, Shamori Woods, Jahvon Hubbarb and Kenny Tucker-Thompson.

Both Bashir and Thompson received three-match suspensions, Woods was banned for two games while Hubbarb will be forced to sit out the remainder of the season.

All were found guilty of unsporting behaviour.

Yesterday's announcement marked the first time ever that the names of youth players charged with bringing the game into disrepute had been publicly disclosed - giving further indication of the Association's tough stance on unruly conduct at all levels.

The BFA have also sent off written warnings to PHC youth coach Mark Simons and Boulevard Community Club following the behaviour of a female spectator during a January 18 contest involving the club.

Earlier this season local referee Deroy Butterfield encountered heated tempers while officiating a junior match between North Village and Somerset at Bernard Park in which two west end players received their marching orders and several others were booked. Butterfield said at the time he had never witnessed such bad behaviour at the junior level.

Yesterday, Grimes insisted it was vital that the BFA took a tough stance on unruly behaviour - particularly among juniors.

"The conduct of players and fans during some of our matches indicate that there is the need for constant reminding," he said.

"In an effort to encourage good sportsmanship throughout the sport of football in Bermuda, in particular, the Appleby Spurling & Kempe Youth Leagues, the BFA will continue to to promote FIFA's standard for fair play which requires all players, coaches, administrators and fans to abide by the rules at all matches played under the auspices of the BFA."

Grimes admitted that a shortage of match officials might have contributed to players getting out of hand.

"As chairman of the (referees') committee, I have been disappointed with the fact that we haven't had sufficient referees available for matches and we have already put it to the clubs that next year we are going to tie into their registration the requirement of at least one individual from that club to be held responsible for refereeing junior matches.

"So next year we should have sufficient referees which in turn should help curtail some of the disciplinary problems we have encountered this year," he added.

But despite recent disciplinary concerns, Grimes said that on the whole the season should be deemed successful.

"It has not been a trend. I have actually been to many of the matches and witnessed the players' conduct. In general it has not been that bad. In fact, it has been quite good."