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BFA issues bans over match official assault

Hamilton Parish footballer Anthony Smith has been banned for the remainder of the 2012-13 season.Bermuda Football Association's disciplinary committee found the Parish defender guilty of assaulting match official Wendy Woodley during a heated September 30 First Division match that was abandoned after tempers flared.Smith, who was already on probation at the time of the incident, has been suspended for the rest of the season and placed on a further six months probation to run consecutive to his current probation period.Smith's team mates Kia Darrell and Ian Coke were also found guilty of bringing the game at Police Field game into disrepute.Midfielder Darrell was found guilty of assaulting a match official and using foul language and banned for six matches and placed on six months probation while striker Coke received a four-game ban for shoving a match official and using foul language.Match officials Woodley and Precious Smith were also banned and placed on probation for their involvement in the nasty brawl.Woodley has been banned from officiating in four First Division matches and placed on six months probation. Smith, the daughter of Woodley, has been banned from officiating in six First Division matches and placed on one year probation.According to reports the match, that was tied at 3-3 when it was abandoned, descended into chaos after Woodley allegedly refused to give a Parish player more room to take a corner kick.“The whole situation was really out of control,” said one observer, speaking under condition of anonymity. “The corner was being taken and the player was asking for some more space to take the corner and an argument ensued between the player and the lineswoman which resulted in players and spectators getting involved.“The daughter (Smith) was involved as well and was using her flag as a weapon to hit players.”