PHC president in hot water
By Colin Thompson
Pembroke Hamilton Club (PHC) president Chris Furbert has been summoned to appear before a Bermuda Football Association (BFA) disciplinary committee to face allegations of making insulting remarks towards referee Anthony Mouchette following a Premier Division clash at Southampton Oval last month.
The ex-BFA executive was scheduled to go before the BFA yesterday but had his hearing postponed for undisclosed reasons.
Furbert is alleged to have insulted ref Mouchette after Zebras' 2-1 home defeat to Dandy Town at the Oval on October19.
Earlier this week BFA treasurer Ray Jones went before the association's disciplinary committee to face charges of verbally abusing referee Ronue Cann during and after a November 2 match involving Dandy Town and Devonshire Colts at St.John's Field.
When contacted yesterday, a BFA source confirmed that a decision had been reached regarding Jones' case - but declined to reveal the outcome of the hearing prior to all relevant parties being informed of the disciplinary committee's final ruling.
In a recent article in the Bermuda Sun, top ref Mouchette said hostile treatment of match officials was on the rise and called for tougher deterrents to be implemented to discourage such behaviour.
"I believe refereeing is getting harder, the fans are more aggressive than they used to be," he claimed.
David Sabir, BFA general secretary, agreed.
"This is a cause for great concern to the referees and the association considering the general feeling that times have changed and spectators, players and team officials have become increasingly less tolerant with regards to the role the referee plays in the outcome of the game," he said.
Former road runner, footballer and coach Cann threatened to quit officiating in the aftermath of his run in with Jones - but has since had a change of heart and returned to the job.
Last week local football's governing body called on clubs to comply with existing security measures to help prevent match officials from being subjected to abuse from fans, players or team officials at football matches - or risk having sanctions imposed against them.
Several years ago local football came to a standstill after referees refused to officiate matches until security was beefed up at club venues to enhance their safety.
