BFA & Police To Meet After ‘Deplorable Incident’

On Sunday, Dandy Town and Somerset Trojans played a football match in Somerset, and as Dandy Town’s bus was leaving the grounds, “unknown individuals threw projectiles at the bus resulting in the back window shattering,” the police said, adding that clubs “should also be mindful of the need to consider excluding persons involved in the gang lifestyle from their team rosters.”

BFA President Mark Wade said the Bermuda Football Association is aware of the “deplorable incident,” adding that the BFA have “launched a full investigation into the circumstances that led to it and events after it occurred,” and “anticipate having a discussion with the Bermuda Police Service regarding the incident.”

Police Comment

Assistant Commissioner Martin Weekes said, “On Sunday, October 23, 2016, a scheduled football game took place at Somerset Cricket Club between Dandy Town and Somerset Trojans.

“The Bermuda Police Service deployed a number of officers including armed resources based on requests from the BFA including concerns around some members of the visiting team and officers maintained a consistent presence at the field for the duration of the game.

“The Somerset Cricket Club is responsible for security at all scheduled games. Security for this game did not include the hiring of Extra Duty Police Officers.

“Following the game and after the approximately 60 fans in attendance had left the grounds the BPS received a report that a bus containing visiting players had been damaged. Police officers met with the bus driver to investigate this report however no-one on the bus was willing to assist the BPS in their enquiries.

“The BPS continue to investigate the incident and ask that anyone with information that could assist to please contact the BPS at 2950011 or the Crimestoppers hotline.

“The Bermuda Police Service continue to actively partner with the BFA as well as with all of their affiliate Clubs and will be meeting with the BFA Security Committee this week to discuss security issues at this seasons games. Meetings with individual clubs are also on-going having commenced with Southampton Rangers club last week.

“It is the responsibility of the individual clubs to provide security at scheduled games by ensuring that adequate security and game stewards are in place to ensure the Safety & Health of spectators, officials and athletes.

“The Bermuda Police Service is able to meet with any club that wishes to avail themselves of Crime prevention advice and the Ministry of Public Safety coordinated Joint Event Safety Team [JEST] is also available to meet with clubs and event organisers to help them plan safe events.

“Clubs should also be mindful of the need to consider excluding persons involved in the gang lifestyle from their team rosters as to not do so not only puts the rest of the team at risk it also potentially exposes the club to liability should things go wrong.”

“The BPS will be working with the Club Presidents and the BFA to discuss how we can better make club environments safe for everyone.”

BFA Comment

The BFA President Mark Wade said, “The Bermuda Football Association is aware of an incident that occurred at the Somerset Cricket Club on Sunday October 23rd after the match between Somerset Trojans and the Dandy Town Hornets.

“This is a deplorable incident and the BFA have launched a full investigation into the circumstances that led to it and events after it occurred. We anticipate reports from the Match Commissioner, Referee and both clubs to be submitted expeditiously.

“We anticipate having a discussion with the Bermuda Police Service regarding the incident.

“We are disappointed that individuals have put blight on our national sport. All indications suggest that the match was highly competitive and played in a good spirit.”

- The police statement was amended at 5.20pm

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