 The Bermuda Police Service has issued a warning to member clubs of the Bermuda Football Association.
Acting Deputy Commissioner of Police Martin Weekes addressed a letter to the Bermuda Football Association General Secretary David Sabir, that was then forwarded to the clubs.
Players in recent seasons have been seen wearing ankle monitoring devices issued after court appearances around their ankles, has been questioned about safety of players during matches.
Weekes in the letter states that in recent weeks, a number of officers including some high ranking officers have discussed the topic of team members who have been identified as being involved in gangs and/or criminal activity.
Weekes states, “It has been the Bermuda Police Service’s position for some time that the dangers caused to the public and to the footballing community by the practice of teams fielding persons that are identified as being actively involved in gang and criminal activities, outweigh any benefits that their skill on the field can bring to Bermuda Football.”
“It is time for teams and Clubs particularly to recognize the liability issues surrounding the continued practice of travelling to “away” games with gang members on their teams when violence, which could otherwise have been avoided, ensues during or after games.”
Weekes goes on to highlight changes at the Police Field premises stating, “We will operate a “zero tolerance” attitude to persons we have identified as persons involved in gang and criminal activity utilizing the Police Field.”
“I wish to make it clear that the Bermuda Police Service is not targeting any Club or Team in particular and will work with Club Officials to identify these persons and to inform them that they are not welcome to play at the Police Field,” continued Weekes.
Weekes’ message continued, “We intend to make sure that the Police Club is a safe place for families to come and watch football and a place that Police Club members and their families can enjoy at the weekends.”
Weekes continued, “Due to complaints from Police Club members and their families using the club, of open use by spectators at BFA fixtures, we will also be enforcing a zero tolerance policy towards the use of illegal narcotics within the Police Headquarters complex.”
Weekes concluded his message, “Unfortunately, in the event that we continue to experience complaints from our members on not being able to utilise the club due to the behaviour of spectators at football games or if it is found that our aim of recreating the family friendly environment at Police Field is not compatible with the continued use by the BFA, then we will be forced to rescind our permission for the BFA to schedule fixtures at the Police Field.”
www.landstats.com has reached out to the Bermuda Police Service for further comments on this story and we await a response.
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