without either head coach Norbert Simons or assistant coach Gary (Tuba) Mallory after both appeared before a Bermuda Football Association disciplinary hearing last night.

Simons and Mallory were reported by match referee Richard Knight for bringing the game into disrepute after several incidents during and following the February 11 contest against Devonshire Colts at White Hill Field.

It was unknown at press time last night just what punishment, if any, was meted out by the BFA committee, with association policy dictating that member clubs be informed of any decisions prior to any public announcement.

However, while it was believed that Simons was likely to escape a lengthy ban from the sidelines, Mallory's actions on the day in question could lead to much more severe punishment.

The series of incidents to be analysed by committee members followed the ejection of both coaches from the bench area, which itself resulted in automatic one game bans.

However, their alleged insistence on confronting referee Knight after the dismissals landed each in deeper hot water.

Mallory was reportedly seen back on the pitch as Knight attempted to sort out an on-field incident in which right back Leslie True allegedly slapped Colts' forward Marvin Belboda in the head. It was during this time that Mallory allegedly verbally threatened the referee against taking action against the Somerset player.

Furthermore, both Mallory and Simons reportedly made attempts at accosting Knight following the final whistle, with sources claiming it to have only been the intervention of security officials from the host club that prevented matters from escalating into something more serious.

The fracas was believed to be the first such incident since the referees withdrew their service last November and demanded that greater security measures be put in place.

In a previous interview with Bermuda Referees' Association president Lyndon Raynor, he alluded to the excitement brought on by teams in the midst of relegation battles.

"With relegation hot, players and team officials seem to think when a call doesn't go their way the referee is cheating ... why this is their thinking, I simply do not know,'' said Raynor.

Somerset have been involved in a fight to pull clear of the cellar all season, stumbling through the first half of the campaign with a 2-1-4 (win-draw-loss) record, but showing improvement to start the second half.

Still they find themselves sixth among the eight-team Premier Division and battling both Devonshire Cougars and Wolves to avoid having to enter a relegation/promotion play-off against the second placed team in the First Division.

The contracts of both Mallory and Simons expire at the end of the season and will be reviewed by Somerset's coaching committee at that time.

Trojans in trouble: Assistant Somerset coach Gary Mallory (left) and head coach Norbert Simons (right) were both due to appear before a BFA disciplinary hearing last night.