A number of local soccer referees are so fed up with the game that they are threatening to walk out.

It's feared that as many as four officials, all of whom have been active this season, will hang up their whistles at the end of this season, dealing a huge blow to Bermuda Referees Association's already depleted ranks.

BRA president Lyndon Raynor admitted yesterday he had been told of the possible exodus but said he couldn't reveal the names of those who have reportedly "had enough''.

"I have heard that rumour too, so it's a strong possibility that it will happen. It is a concern and we are taking it seriously,'' said Raynor.

"I think people are just tired of the overall attitude of players and the overall picture of soccer on the Island. Hey, for that matter you can say that I'm also tired and it's even becoming frustrating to me.'' Raynor recalled how several officials bowed out at the end of last season and never returned, forcing Bermuda Football Association to schedule fixtures throughout the week in order to lessen the referees' workload on weekends.

Any further reisgnations, said Raynor, would be a "devastating blow''.

"If any do quit it will certainly deplete our ranks, but I don't have the answers anymore. I haven't talked to any of the referees about it, but I think some are seriously looking at opting out once and for all.'' Raynor said many were tired of the attitudes taken by both players and coaches.

"Put it this way, when you hear comments like `I don't care if it's in the FIFA rules, that's not the way I'm coaching my players. I don't care what FIFA thinks,' that's what upsets officials,'' said the president.

"Or when they (coaches and officials) add `it may be done elsewhere, but this is Bermuda, we don't abide by any new stupid rules.' "These are the crazy responses we often get from coaches and team officials and they make us ask, `Why are we doing this'?'' Referees, explained Raynor, were also upset that little had changed since they staged their boycott last year, refusing to officiate until certain security issues had been resolved.

"I looked around White Hill Field on Sunday and the very same thing (lack of security) that got us in trouble when we withdrew our services last November was quite evident again. So are we really serious?'' he said.

He noted the attitude of players, coaches, team officials and sometimes abusive fans were forcing officials to consider quitting.

"If the rules are there and you are not willing to abide by them, then it's normal for us to say why bother?'' he said.

Raynor was reluctant to heap blame on the BFA hierarchy.

"When you say the BFA, well the clubs are the BFA ... the executives are put there by the clubs, so it's the clubs who have to question themselves.

What are they doing to promote the betterment of football.

"Referees make mistakes. I hear the argument that teams come out and train hard week after week, but I am beginning to wonder how many people train because if you can't get a national squad out training what is the training like at club level? "I am not trying to say that referees have got everything right, but I think people have to look deep inside themselves and be honest and ask if they have done anything constructive for the game of soccer.'' Soccer refs ready to walk out From Page 15 Added Raynor: "I never thought I would see the day when I became frustrated, but that day is very near. In fact, it has already reached the point where a lack of numbers in our association is having me question if I should remain around much longer.

"I have become frustrated and there are other things within our group that bother me. I would think that the people who put on those referees' jerseys go out there for the love of the sport ... but when you are constantly berated, when you go out on the street and are challenged for things you did during a game ... these same people (coaches, team officials and fans) who don't say boo to their strikers when they miss from a few yards out.

"It's reached the point when even I am asking, do I really feel like going out there? "I recently returned from an international tournament in the United States and I was able to see how things were run professionally, and to come back and look around, what I see is discouraging ... very discouraging.'' Lyndon Raynor: The president of Bermuda Referees' Association says he is considering his own future as an official.