As the new domestic season approaches Bermuda Football Association are facing a shortage of qualified match officials.

The response has been to ban any referee from working with the newly formed Corona League.

General Secretary David Sabir explained the decision to Royal Gazette Royal Gazette sports reporter Josh Ball, and outlined some of the association's plans to combat the shortage.

QWhat was the thought process behind not allowing officials to do both BFA and Corona games.

"It is rather quite simple and commonsense really. The association has stated numerous times that the primary purpose of restructuring our league programmes was to protect two limited and very important resources: (i) shortage of referees and (ii) reduce the "wear and tear" on fields.

We currently have a shrinking and rapidly aging pool of referees. At the end of last season we were down to 19 functioning referees. Every week we were under pressure because of the low number of available referees.

Thanks to the dedication and overall concern for football our referees did more matches then what is recommended to ensure their optimum performance.

Our mission based on our Strategic Plan is to rebuild the competitiveness of Bermuda football. This means we must ensure that referees who want to function in our programme give their optimum performance at all matches with the highest possible standards including being physically and mentally prepared to referee their assigned game.

Considering the above, if our aim is to improve the overall standard of football in Bermuda, recognising that refereeing is a key component in the process and considering the pressure of over using our referees as was the case last year then it would be against the interest of the BFA to give consent to the creation of the same situation this season due to the formation of the Corona games.

QWhat sanctions, if any, have the BFA put in place against officials who chose to do Corona games?

The BFA Executive Council advised the Bermuda Referees Association (BRA) that any of their refereeing members who referee Corona League games will not be assigned to BFA matches. Simply put the Association will not endorse the creation of the same situation of seasons past by encouraging referees to compromise the goal of rebuild the competitiveness of Bermuda football.

QHas the BFA considered upping the match fee to keep/attract more officials, similarly will clubs and players be asked to sign a code of conduct as they must in the new league.

The similar question should be asked "what is the attraction for BFA referees wanting to join the Corona League". Additionally, has the Corona League set up a programme to recruit or implement their own referee programme or have they lured BRA members to join their league by out bidding the BFA. This level of concern should start with the Corona League not with the BFA.

There should be no competition between the BFA and the Corona League in this regard for limited resources rather it should be mandated by the Corona League for their new clubs to start their own referee programme.

That being said the Corona League is a separate and distinct entity from the BFA and therefore have the autonomy to conduct their program as they see fit.

Similarly those referees wishing to join the Corona League have the right to do so with the understanding that they will not officiate in BFA matches.

One other key point is that the BFA recently completed a "re-grading" and increased our referee match fees retroactively based on the re-grading process.

Players in membership with the BFA are not required to sign an individual Code of Conduct as you attempt to make comparison with the Corona League.

The fact of the matter is that all players, coaches, officials and others in membership with the Association are bound by the universal principles of Fair Play inherent throughout all of football, which I might add have been in existence, ever evolving for decades.

Additionally, the Association has recently circulated to all clubs a new Code of Practice, and a revised Disciplinary Code that governs all aspects of football.

QDoes the lack of officials mean that some competitions, Masters/Women's/PDL are under threat. What would be the first to go?

We have to be realistic and understand that refereeing is a significant component within football.

Our clubs are well aware that without the required number of referees that we will be challenged. However, we will never adopt a losing mentality because it is important to the BFA and the clubs that we work extremely hard to ensure that every match gets played.

Q Clubs are being asked to see is anyone wants to become a 'Club Assistant Referee', how to do you ensure neutrality of officials in this case?

We must be real in the context of Bermuda football. And we must believe in the good nature of the human spirit rather than the initial thought being that the club referee will lack the ability to be neutral.

Firstly, we have to applaud the initiative to recruit from within.

Secondly, we must have a starting point which hopefully will lead to those persons who step forward will grow in confidence and be prepare to referee any match in any part of the Island.

Thirdly, we will train and train and train every person who steps forward to be a club assistant referee and we will support them and our clubs and fans will applaud them for taking up the challenge when football needs a few more good men and women.

Hopefully, some of these persons will desire to go on to become FIFA Listed match officials. There is real opportunity internationally for those with the desire and who meet the criteria. But to ensure neutrality is really asking will they "cheat!" To that we have to believe this will not be the case but we are prepared to deal with it should it arise.