Oral Swan last month in a Second Division game at Bernard Park has been banned from football for five years.

Ian DeSilva, 23, was slapped with the suspension when he appeared before the Bermuda Football Association disciplinary committee on Thursday night to answer charges of assaulting Swan.

And while the committee took into consideration this was DeSilva's first season in senior football and that the act was out of character, the message still had to be made clear that such behaviour would not be tolerated, BFA general secretary David Sabir stated last night.

"The committee wanted to emphasise once again that this type of behaviour cannot and will not be condoned,'' said Sabir.

"They want to send a very clear message to all soccer players that they, as players, must always respect the decisions of the referee. Where they do not agree with a referee they should refrain from assault and use the channels available to express any concerns they may have.'' DeSilva, who connected with one of his punches, has not played since he was sent off in the November 22 match against St. David's which St. David's won 4-1.

Represented by club executive Fred Lewis, the BFA heard that DeSilva meant no malice towards the referee but that his actions were simply a case of frustration with the game.

"The committee considered that this was his first season and it was generally expressed on his behalf that this was out of character,'' said Sabir.

"The committee, although they wanted to stress the point that they would not tolerate this, certainly wanted to at least give the young man the chance to think about playing football again.'' Swan was praised by Referees Association president Stuart Crockwell, who was at the game, for his handling of the incident and for continuing the match.

Sabir echoed those feelings yesterday.

"I would like to give our highest commendation to referee Swan for not allowing this incident to affect his enthusiasm for refereeing,'' said Sabir.

"He conducted himself in the manner in which referees uphold themselves on the playing field.''