The relationship between a number of the Island's soccer clubs and the game's ruling body, Bermuda Football Association, seemed distinctly uneasy last night.

A number of club officials came out against the BFA's action in cancelling last Sunday's First Division games, while yesterday Boulevard took unprecedented action in refusing to play their Friendship Trophy semi-final against Vasco.

However, BFA president Neville Tyrrell claimed the organisation's move -- taken late last week in response to a series of violent on-field incidents this season -- had been well supported.

And last night, prior to an already scheduled meeting with a number of clubs, general secretary David Sabir stressed: "This is not a fight against the clubs. It is simply bringing attention to violence in football. We realise that it has caused some concern to people and we understand that, but in no shape or form is the BFA fighting the clubs on this issue.'' However, North Village, who were still in with a chance of the First Division title, were angered by the action and after a meeting of their management committee last Thursday, sent a letter to the BFA urging them to reconsider the decision.

President Rudolph Hollis said he was concerned that the BFA's move had been "premature''.

And with last night's meeting -- one of several planned with clubs to discuss such things as the restructuring programme -- already due, Hollis claimed it had been "a drastic decision knowing that they had scheduled that.'' Vasco coach John Rebello echoed those sentiments, but with some sympathy for the BFA.

"They've got a tough job trying to clean up the sport while trying to attract the corporate dollar,'' he said. "But they should have brought in the clubs and had a word with them.

"It would have saved a lot of criticism, not put a lot of people's backs up and alleviated the problems we're facing now. It may have done more damage than good.'' PHC president Chris Furbert added: "Everybody thinks that by playing the next schedule of matches this weekend means that everything is fixed, but the problem is not going to go away by itself.

"First things should come first. First all of the affiliates need to meet.

Everybody has totally disrepected the affiliates. The affiliates should have been called and told about the BFA's decision first.

"Even when the shadow minister came out and put his two cents in to say that the BFA were right to cancel the matches -- how does that help the problem?'' Tyrrell admitted there had been a "mixed reaction'' to the cancellations but added: "I am happy to say that it was more favourable than unfavourable. You can't please everybody all of the time.'' And he remained steadfast about the manner in which things were being handled, claiming that the BFA's timing was spot on.

The move had won widespread support among politicians and the public at large, he claimed.

"I regret having to do it. But having done it I would say there are no regrets. But to think that we had to come to this stage tells us that there is a problem and that's where my real regret lies.'' Meanwhile, Furbert once again raised the question of financing. "The clubs pay the BFA for 18 league games in advance but the BFA have chosen arbitrarily to go without the support of the affiliates and cancel one of those league games.

"So are the clubs now going to get a refund from that one weekend? I don't think they will.'' Sabir was unequivocal.

"We have a different view on that. The BFA does not get money up front. Clubs play affiliation dues.

"That argument doesn't make sense to me and I don't even want to comment on it.''