Top referee Lyndon Raynor accepts that he and his colleagues can do more to stem violence on the football pitch.

Following a number of violent attacks committed by players this season, Raynor, the vice-president of Bermuda Referees Association, admitted officials were not stamping their authority on matches, leaving players frustrated with some of their decisions.

"The Bermuda Referees Association is concerned about the recent spate of violence that has crept into soccer in Bermuda,'' said Raynor.

"But there seem to be other reasons why players have resorted to war against each other. Referees have the responsibility to see that the game is played fairly.

"But referees are not keeping firm control of games and players seem to be saying `if the ref is not taking control of games I will take the game in my own hands'. Referees have allowed things to go unpunished and players are resorting to fighting each other.'' Raynor booked six players during Sunday's FA Cup match between North Village and Social Club, most for bad fouls. The BRA met with Bermuda Football Association last night when the issue of violence was expected to dominate their discussions.

"That is one of the issues to be discussed,'' Raynor said beforehand. "Those are some of the concerns that have gotten back to the BFA.

"I think there is some validity to the comments. As referees we are the ones who have been entrusted to assure that games are played in a competitive and fair spirit. And if we fail to uphold that then we have not done our job.'' Raynor, however, emphatically denied claims by some fans and players that officials were biased.

"No referee goes on the field to intentionally make a mistake,'' Raynor insisted.

"Refs, when they walk out of the dressing room, start the game with 22 players and would like to end it with 22 players.

"Saying all of this is not a criticism of our own officials, but we as referees have to ask what can we do to improve our own games.'' As a policeman, Raynor sees the Island's social problems and problems at football grounds as being one and the same.

"What I see in soccer is a lot of social problems, frustrations boiling over into soccer,'' he stated.

"When players feel something hasn't gone their way, their only alternative is to lash out.

"I can look at it from both sides because of the job I have. Players are bringing other matters into the game of soccer.

"Players have to come prepared to play football and leave whatever else is bothering them behind. After all, people come to see them play, but the more people hear of the fighting the more they are going to stay away.'' Raynor said recent bad publicity over incidents on the pitch was damaging to the game at a time when the national programme was being revived.

"Eventually sponsors are going to say `I don't want my money to be associated with that','' said Raynor.

"We are just starting to get the national programme on the road and if players are going to resort to fighting then corporate sponsors are going to say `I'll see you later, I'll put my money in some other sport'.'' Added Raynor: "There has been talk about players wanting to form their own union and even talk about having semi-professional players. If that is the route we're going to go then there needs to be a lot of clean-up with players' behaviour and clubs taking a firmer hand with unruly players.'' There has also been talk about referees withdrawing their services so as to get their message across about how concerned they are about the violence.

"I've heard stories like that and my knee-jerk reaction would be to take a mid-season break, a Sunday off, but that would not solve any problems,'' added Raynor.

And he was disappointed to read in a Royal Gazette article that referee Leroy Wilson was about to pack it in at the end of the season.

"Curly has given a lot to soccer in Bermuda, he's been a player, a coach and a referee and to see him leave the game because he is no longer enjoying it would be sad,'' said Raynor. "I can only hope he rethinks it over the summer, but I would take my hat off and thank him for the service he's given to soccer.''