violence at sporting events.

Last night Bermuda Football Association president Neville Tyrrell unveiled a six-point plan which he believes will kick the hooligans into touch.

And he warned that the remainder of this season's fixtures could be cancelled if there is just one more outbreak of violence on the terraces.

The scheme, which has already been approved by BFA affiliates, includes: Video monitoring to take place at all club grounds.

The banning of known soccer thugs from grounds.

The banning of bottled drinks during matches.

The appointment of club members to act as stewards, assisting Police with security and pointing out known trouble makers.

Complete access to Police to carry out patrols of club grounds.

Tighter parking controls to allow emergency vehicles unobstructed access through parking lots.

Mr. Tyrrell revealed that most of the six points had already been implemented following secret meetings with club representatives.

But he refused to say when video monitoring, the most dramatic of the new initiatives, will begin or how it will be funded.

And he also suggested that even tougher security measures such as airport-style metal detectors, could be brought in if the new initiative fails.

The crackdown was launched following a series of ugly incidents between soccer fans at the start of this season. In one match between Boulevard and Somerset Trojans in November a Police officer was stabbed and a mob spilled onto the field.

"The BFA and its affiliates have said enough is enough,'' Mr. Tyrrell said.

"We are no longer prepared to become victims of our sport by organising matches for the benefit of spectators and then having a very small segment of fans destroy the most favoured pastime for some.

"We still maintain that this demonstration of violence at football matches has nothing to do with the players and officials, nor is it the manifestation of the emotion side of sport so commonly associated with football.

"Violence in the community has been highlighted more recently in the media and this violence has caused tremendous anxiety among all Bermudians.

"The two incidents at Somerset Cricket Club and Devonshire Recreation, along with incidents at Hamilton nightclubs, further suggest that violence, if left unchallenged, will become a normal pastime for some of Bermuda's young people.

"We have met with our affiliates and together have outlined a set of recommendations that will assist in combating these negative incidents.'' The scheme is also being backed by the Bermuda Police Service, which has now set up a its own squad to target soccer hooligans. Team captain, Insp. Stuart Crockwell gave his assurances that the force will do everything in its power to make grounds safe for genuine fans.

"We are committed to working as a team along with the BFA.

"The Police Service knows what sort of offences are going on in grounds because we have witnessed them.

"We have come together to work as a team and we will make sure that grounds are safe for the fans.'' Mr. Tyrrell welcomed the strong Police support, claiming that the two groups had "shared some useful information''.

"We are delighted and grateful for the renewed commitment by the Police to assist our clubs and our association in combatting this social illness,'' he said.

"The Police have assured us that they will use every resource available to rid football of this off field violence.''