evidence of drug abuse at games.

Government's board of inquiry into soccer heard how drug importers stacked up stocks for big games.

"It is very bad and getting worse. Worse still, it is big `business' and treated by importers as such,'' the board's report said of the drug culture.

One key proposal is for clubs to introduce video surveillance to catch people flouting the law.

Club coaches and officials also come under the spotlight -- and face accusations of turning a blind eye to good players smoking pot.

The Bermuda Football Association, meanwhile, is urged to declare all-out war on drugs in wake of the Miami arrests of seven Under-23 players last year.

In-depth background checks should be made on all players representing Bermuda abroad, involving parents, Police, employers and schools.

Each player should also be tested for drugs, and the BFA executive should "offer themselves'' for testing as well. Other key recommendations in the report include: The BFA national players and all football affiliates should be in the forefront of the National Drug Commission's campaign "Sportsmen Against Drugs''; The BFA should produce a drugs policy, and subject league players to testing; Players should be addressed by representatives of relevant agencies in Bermuda, including the NDC, the Police and Customs; Uniformed Police officers should be present during major soccer matches; Soccer clubs should ban the bringing of alcohol to grounds; The sale of alcohol at games should be banned as an experiment; Considering the creation of a Bermuda Football Foundation to boost funds for soccer; and The educational campaigns against drugs in schools should be intensified.

"In conclusion and in summary, in the exercise of their respective responsibilities, a more disciplined approach needs to be taken by the BFA, affiliates and players,'' the board of inquiry's report stated.

"And having regard to the importance of football to Bermuda, additional resources are required to upgrade it overall.'' The board of inquiry -- comprising former Premier the Hon. Sir John Sharpe, Mr. Eugene Blakeney, Mr. Louis Mowbray, Mr. Kenneth Richardson and Mr. Calvin Symonds -- was set up following the arrest of Meshach Wade, Donnie Charles, Shawn Riley, Herbert Dillas, Keishon Smith, Kevin Jennings and Tokia Russell at Miami International Airport on December 9 last year.

Clubs told `clean up your act' The players were allowed home after pleading "no contest'' to possessing marijuana. But they could face a ban from the United States, the report warned.

"The board understands that this `conviction' is considered by the US authorities as grounds for placing the seven players on their `stop-list'.'' The report, however, went far further than just spotlighting the case of the seven players.

It declared football had a "serious problem'' with drugs.

"For the purpose of this exercise, we are thinking of drugs in football in terms of marijuana smoking.

"That it is a major problem is unanimously confirmed by coaches, club officials and sports reporters.

"They consider that its use by spectators and players is a contributory cause to the misbehaviour of both.

"One club president told us that he was `astounded and appalled' following inquiries, to find that, without exception, his whole team smoked marijuana.'' The report, which was tabled in the House of Assembly yesterday by Sport Minister the Hon. Pamela Gordon, said there was a reluctance by coaches and club officials to tackle it.

"They admit that most of the time, most of them turn a blind eye to good players whom they know are smokers.

"Why? Because, to a considerable extent, their club's viability (when they own their own premises) depends on gate and bar sales during games.

"To attract spectators, the club needs a good team -- preferably one that is in contention -- so they turn a blind eye to skillful players smoking marijuana.'' But the report stated that officials were now prepared to take a harder line.