The Trinidad and Tobago Pro League found itself at the mercy of local referees once more yesterday as match officials failed to show for a crucial fixture between W Connection and bmobile Joe Public at the Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva.
Pro League CEO Dexter Skeene told the Express he did not know why a full complement of match officials did not show up in Palo Seco on Saturday for United Petrotrin's clash with St Ann's Rangers or for yesterday's contest in Couva.
"I don't know what is going on," said Skeene. "I have to call the Referees' Association but I did not get any notification on anything.
"The match commissioner said (on Saturday) that one referee could not make it because of work and I took that at face value, but now I have to check for more answers."
Petrotrin and Rangers are now scheduled to meet in Palo Seco on Thursday evening, while the winners must play again on Friday when the Lucozade Big Six kicks off.
W Connection and Joe Public will now also have the considerable disadvantage of two competitive matches in 24 hours as Skeene said that Thursday was the only free date left.
"I have a lot of sympathy for the clubs but, the way the fixtures are right now, it can't be helped," said Skeene. "We are doing the best we can considering the circumstances."
The Express tried to contact Trinidad and Tobago Referees' Association president Gary Andrews yesterday but failed to reach him by telephone.
On Saturday, Rangers and Petrotrin players warmed up while supporters took their seats only to learn that they had to find something else to do with their evening as a referee "could not make it".
The scenario was repeated yesterday evening as players and ball boys waited for more than an hour in full gear only to accept that they were stood up.
If Connection had defeated Public yesterday, the "Savonetta Boys" would have moved atop the Pro League standings for the first time this year and coach Stuart Charles-Fevrier may have given a rousing speech to his troops in anticipation of the battle.
He will have to write a new sermon for Thursday.