night club affiliates were assured that the executives of the association were doing a good job, but nothing was mentioned about another issue that surfaced yesterday -- the alleged payment of mortgage funds to certain high-ranking officials during the recent World Cup campaign.

BFA president Charlie Marshall said that there was no significance about the timing of the meeting, clearly indicating that it was something that would have been called despite the recent "bad press'' that the BFA had received over the sacking of administrative assistant Joe L. Brown.

According to Marshall, "it was an information meeting to inform the members of what was going on''.

At the completion of the meeting several of those exiting the meeting, who had heard speeches about leaks being made to the press, remained tightlipped but some did hint that the meeting did not reveal anything astonishing and that it was mainly an attempt by the association to prove that it is in charge of things.

"They just wanted us to know what's going on, that the association was in good hands,'' said one club representative.

Another said: "I don't see why a meeting was called, there wasn't anything significant discussed.'' When questioned about rumours that monies totalling in the region of $5,000 had been paid to two officials -- a third party's request for $1,200 was rebuffed -- out of the World Cup fund to cover mortgage payments while they travelled with the World Cup team on the three-game tour of El Salvador, Jamaica and Canada, Marshall at first refused to comment.

However, when pressed further on the issue he said: "I think that the World Cup participation is fully audited by the auditor who will report in a very short period of time. And I think that by the very fact that a full audit is being made that he or she is satisfied that the funds of the association were used in the manner that was directed by the executives of the association.

"I think that answers the question. The auditor is a fully professional, competent person.

He added that if indeed true, these things would come out in the audit.

"It is all part and parcel of the decisions that were made by the executive as an expense of the World Cup.'' It is believed that Marshall himself authorised one of these payments, while the other was thought to have been approved by the executive, despite some members announcing that a bad precedent was being set.

Each of these awards were said to amount to `gifts', which the parties concerned were not compelled to repay.

"All matters relating to finances are the responsibility of the treasurer who we had total faith in,'' said Marshall.

With regard to whether there was any reconsidering by the association over the decision to fire Brown, Marshall said without hesitation, "No''.

Among those present at the meeting were honorary life vice-president Sir John Sharpe, Joe Ferreira and Joseph Best as well as honorary vice-presidents Walter Roberts and Eugene Blakeney.

It is from the select group of honorary vice-presidents that the affiliates had indicated they will be calling on to investigate the affairs of the BFA under a motion outlined in a letter issued to the president, directing him to call a special council meeting. This meeting has been scheduled for March 15.