Player banned in BFA crackdown
Bermuda Football Association's promise to get tough with unruly spectators when he was banned "until further notice'' from all club grounds this week for his conduct at Devonshire Rec. last weekend.
Saunders, who went to the ground to watch Social Club play Wolves in a Second Division match, used threatening behaviour to club officials in his capacity as a spectator. His actions contravened policies adopted by the affiliate clubs in regards to behaviour of spectators and a letter has been sent to him by Devonshire Rec. informing him of the indefinite ban from their grounds.
The BFA was also notified of the club's action and both the association and all BFA club grounds are supporting the ban.
"This is strictly as a result of the club's decision and we're acting as the clearing house,'' said BFA general secretary David Sabir yesterday.
"When the decision is made and we are made aware of it we will endorse the ban. That is the decision made by all the affiliates, that we will work closely in this regard.
"If he is seen on club grounds hopefully someone will notify club officials, and if he is caught he will be trespassing and we can prosecute. His actions were in contravention of the policies issued by the clubs for unruly behaviour.
'' Just over a week ago the BFA vowed to get tough with unruly spectators, as recommended by the Sharpe Report, which specifically dealt with spectator behaviour. It called for offenders to receive written warnings or be banned altogether from all grounds.
A full slate of matches are scheduled for tomorrow in the First and Second Divisions, starting with tonight's encounter between Somerset and Southampton Rangers (8.00) at Somerset.
Both the Trojans and their west end neighbours, Somerset Eagles, have a good chance to go 2-0 at the start of the new season, as Eagles face PHC at White Hill tomorrow.
Rangers will field three former Trojans players tonight when brothers Larry, Randy and Kelly Simmons line up against their past team-mates. A fourth, Kwame Tucker, will sit out a one-match ban after being sent off last weekend.
St. George's play their first home match of the season when they take on Boulevard for the second time in five days as both teams seek their first wins in the league.
Also looing for first wins are North Village and Devonshire Colts who will meet at Bernard Park. Village, despite their indifferent form so far, should be slight favourites over a rebuilding Colts team tht opened its season with a 1-0 home defeat against Eagles.
Vasco and Dandy Town will also meet for the second time in five days in the day's top match at PHC Stadium. Vasco have been the most in form team so far, picking up their fourth straight win on Tuesday when they beat Town 2-0 to clinch a Martonmere Cup semi-final berth.
However, that loss will only serve to make Town all the more determined to even the score, but against the toughest defence in the league the Town strike pair of Carlos Smith and Darron Simons can expect to have their work cut out for them.
In the Second Division, St. David's entertain Devonshire Cougars and BAA host Wolves in the top matches. Wolves were the only winners last weekend, beating Social Club 2-0, and another win would keep them at least a point clear.
The other two matches see Prospect travelling to Wellington Oval to meet Hamilton Parish while Social Club are at home at PHC Stadium to Paget. The one Premier (Junior) Division match tomorrow sees North Village meeting Devonshire Colts at Bernard Park at 1.00.