HAMILTON, Bermuda (CMC) — The Bermuda Football Association (BFA) is to launch an investigation after the island’s leading referee quit over racial abuse he says he suffered during an FA Cup quarter-final.

Englishman Martin Wyer, who served as a senior officer of the Royal Air Force during the Gulf War, was subjected to abuse during Sunday’s game at Goose Gosling Field, in which Flanagan’s Onions beat PHC Zebras 2-0.

Wyer called the BFA, which is already suffering from a shortage of referees, immediately after the game to confirm his decision to resign.

Pembroke Hamilton Club (PHC) says it is trying to identify the culprit who launched the racial slurs, and apologised to the referee.

Wyer, who serves as a major in the Bermuda Regiment, walked away from the game last season after a similar incident, before being persuaded by colleagues to change his mind.

“I’ve had a couple of e-mails of support from fellow officials, but I stand by my decision to quit,” Wyer, a multiple BFA Referee of the Year winner, said.

“It happened to me last year and I was persuaded to come back, but I think it’s a case of once bitten twice shy now.

“I quit last time because of the abuse I received at a game at St John’s Field and some of it was aimed at the colour of my skin, which is totally unacceptable in any walk of life, and as a football referee I am not tolerating any of that.

“A similar incident happened on Sunday, and among other levels of abuse there was the disrespect of calling my integrity into question and being called a cheat. I don’t cheat and don’t care who wins because it doesn’t matter to me.”

Wyer said the abuse he was subjected to was the worst he had experienced as a referee.

“I have been refereeing for many years at a very high level in England and have never come across it before,” said Wyer.

“When it becomes personal to that extent, and the level of disrespect and intolerance shown, I’m sorry, I don’t get paid enough and I don’t give up my free time to be treated like this.”

During the match, Wyer booked five players and sent off Robert Bean, the PHC assistant coach, who launched an outburst at the referee, but it was not of a racial nature eyewitnesses said.

BFA general secretary David Sabir said that the association was reviewing the match reports.

“The association will review all aspects of the game based on reports submitted and take the appropriate actions in accordance with established regulations,” Sabir said.

PHC said in a statement: “The PHC executive strongly condemns the abuse and racial slurs that were directed at Mr Martin Wyer.

“We sincerely apologise for all of the abuse he endured and we hope that this unfortunate incident will be a catalyst for addressing the disease of racism that exists in society.

“To date, the PHC executive has not identified the individual who committed this outrageous act.

“The PHC executive encourages all of our members and supporters to combat all forms of racism and to be a positive example for all in the community.”

Crenstant Williams, head of the BFA’s referees committee, said: “Mr Wyer has handed in his resignation from refereeing and, from the referees committee’s standpoint, we are investigating and trying to convince him that it will not happen again.

“We are also trying to hold the clubs responsible for the actions of their fans, so we have been in communication with them to try and ascertain exactly what happened through a thorough investigation.

“We are highly upset at this and are taking a firm stance on this because our referee numbers are down. To lose someone of Mr Wyer’s calibre doesn’t help the situation.”