according to administrative assistant David Sabir.

Sabir said the Pembroke club could face serious ramifications if and when the matter is referred to an appointed committee for discussion, possibly as soon as this week.

These sanctions could range from a simple fine, caution, censure or even suspension of the club, as well as the forfeiture of the match(es) in which the ineligible player was involved, which in this case would give Dandy Town two points and thus the league championship.

"You do not defy the laws of the association,'' said Sabir quite bluntly.

"What kind of message is North Village sending the FA.'' Village appear to be contending that the newly adopted FIFA rule regarding the release of players for internationals has been falsely interpreted by the BFA and that the suspension meted out was not valid.

To qualify this assistant coach Robert Calderon (see alternate story this page) pointed to Article 35, Section 4 (a) that mandates a release period of merely 48 hours prior to and after a friendly international match .

Bermuda's Olympic team, of which Adams is a member, will not be involved in such a match on March 31 when they face the United States B team.

Nevertheless, Sabir was adamant that this still did not allow for them to insert Adams in the line-up two days ago.

"Even if the association erred -- and we did not -- no affiliate has the right to defy a ruling by the FA,'' he added. "We asked the clubs for the release of players back on February 14 and we had no objections from any of the affiliate members.

"We (specifically) asked for the release of the players for the entire training programme, they all agreed and the players who came to training agreed as well. Come on, realistically speaking there's no way to prepare a team for an international match in 48 hours.

"We're trying to instill that we are serious about our programmes and we can't allow guys to get away with any slack. Take for instance during the build-up for the World Cup when we only had five guys training sometimes.

"Why have programmes if we can't enforce them? We're trying to grow and further develop the sport and we need to have others grow along with us.'' Village were also attacked for a perceived double-standard with regard to their players as while Adams' suspension was being contested, the club had honoured that of another "lesser known'' player.

Bantam Division player David Thomas was said to have been banned earlier under similar circumstances and yet there was no contesting of the decision by the club.

Thomas has since been reinstated, following a meeting between the player, his parents and the BFA.

It was also noted that while FIFA had been contacted to further clarify the new regulations, the world governing body's policy was to refrain from involvement in the domestic affairs of member organisations. So the `buck' clearly stops at the BFA's doorstep.