A shortage of football officials has been blamed for the postponement of a Premier Division match between St George’s and Paget on Sunday.

The match was scheduled to take place at 3pm at Wellington Oval, with the two teams informed of the situation before travelling to the ground. It was later confirmed by Jarreau Hayward, the St George’s coach, that the match has been moved to later this month.

“The match has been postponed because of a lack of referees and it will now be played on December 23,’’ said Hayward.

No comment could be obtained from Crenstant Williams, the Bermuda Football Association Referees Committee chairman.

A lack of officials has been a concern for some time at the highest levels, with the BFA forced to bring in referees from the Caribbean to handle Premier and First Division matches.

Jamaicans O’Jay Duhaney, O’Shane Nation and Damian Williams, together with Trinidadian Kwinsi Williams have all been on island, with the latter handling the match between North Village and Devonshire Cougars on October 20.

Referee chief Williams has blamed the dwindling numbers of referees on island on the abuse received by match officials from players, coaches and spectators, with clubs warned to curb bad behaviour or risk no referees being assigned to their matches.

Williams issued that missive at the end of October when Hamilton Parish had coach Sergio Goater and player Samuel McKittrick sent off by referee Tashun Simons after the final whistle for foul and abusive language towards a match official at the end of their Dudley Eve Trophy semi-final against Cougars.