The DMFLC in an emergency meeting last night, decided to halt the league until January 24 after the referees declined to officiate in future matches unless they were guaranteed adequate security.

The Referees Association in a letter to the DMFLC protested an attack on the association's office at the Maulana Bhasani Stadium by a group of alleged Mohammedan supporters on Tuesday night. Earlier on the same day, Mohammedan fans had invaded the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur and prevented two matches of the league from taking place. Sheikh Russell were scheduled to play the day's first match against Badda Jagarani while table-toppers Brothers Union were due to take on Dhanmondi in the second fixture.

The matches were rescheduled for yesterday but the unavailability of the referees meant that no matches could be held for the second day running.

Mohammedan are demanding that the DMFLC reconsider its decision to award Muktijoddha Sangsad Krira Chakra full points from last Thursday's unfinished clash between the two. The club also want other disciplinary measures taken against them revoked.

DMFLC joint-secretary Asfaruzzaman Sohrab said after the emergency meeting that they would ensure proper security for referees and match officials within the next two days so that they feel comfortable in running the matches.

Besides, it was also agreed that the DMFLC president and secretary will sit with Mohammedan and Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) officials to try and find an amicable settlement to the stalemate. Mohammedan have threatened not to participate in the next round of matches unless the DMFLC listened to their demands.

Secretary of the referees association Ibrahim Nessar made an emotional appeal to the authorities yesterday for their protection.

"We feel totally insecure on the ground these days as we are frequently being attacked by players, officials and the supporters. Police are also not giving us full protection. That's why we have been forced to stop officiating as we fear for our lives," said Nessar.

"The family of referee Tayeb Hasan have seen on television how he was kicked by Muktijoddha midfielder Tushar last week. I've heard that his minor son has pleaded with Tayeb not to referee any game again," added Nessar.

Nesar said that referee Ramkrishna Ghosh, who officiated the fateful Mohammedan-Muktijoddha match, couldn't even come out of his house as some unruly fans had threatened him with dire consequences. Ghosh's effigy was also burnt during the invasion of the Sher-e-Bangla Stadium.

DMFLC president Abdur Rahim condemned the attack on the referees association office and said that it was impossible to change the league committee's verdict on Mohammedan whom they have declared 0-2 losers against Muktijoddha and also deducted a point from their collection for refusing to play the last six minutes of Thursday's match.

Meanwhile, top Premier Division clubs have vehemently opposed the idea of the DMFLC to stop the league.

"Apart from the financial loss, this is hampering other aspects also. We have a programme and according to that we conduct our training sessions. Now if we don't know when we will play, it becomes quite tough to motivate the boys in practice. That's a bigger price to pay than any monetary loss," said Muktijoddha coach and former national footballer Shafiqul Islam Manik.

Brother Union vice-president Anwar Hossain Uzzal blasted DMFLC for not being able to handle the situation.

"All the clubs are suffering from this delay because they will need extra money now to run the teams," Uzzal said.

Abahani manager Monem Munna also echoed Uzzal's observation saying that they needed around six to eight thousand Taka everyday to feed the players only and each day's inaction becomes an added financial burden.