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FIFA examine drugs report

Bermuda Football Association over the Miami drug importation allegations as requested.But the next course of action will not be taken until after Warner has discussed the report tomorrow with soccer's world governing body, FIFA.

Bermuda Football Association over the Miami drug importation allegations as requested.

But the next course of action will not be taken until after Warner has discussed the report tomorrow with soccer's world governing body, FIFA.

On Monday, Warner requested a report from the BFA regarding the allegations of drug importation by seven members of the Bermuda Under-23 team. That report was faxed to the CONCACAF office in New York by yesterday's noon deadline.

"I submitted it to FIFA and we're going to look at it and make a decision on Thursday morning,'' Warner explained.

"Tomorrow (today) we shall look at the report and Thursday morning we will make a decision.'' Warner threatened tough action against the BFA on Monday, noting CONCACAF had the power to impose harsh penalties, even though the players at the centre of the controversy have not been found guilty.

"Believe me I don't want to prejudge the issue,'' said Warner yesterday. "I will go over the facts as they are.'' A day earlier Warner said the players did not have to be found guilty in order for CONCACAF to take action. "There are very, very fierce penalties which we intend to impose on the FA,'' Warner told The Royal Gazette .

The BFA have declined to comment on the matter, taking a wait and see approach while they await the decision from CONCACAF.

Beating both Canada and Jamaica in two-leg qualifying matches in Kingston, Jamaica, enabled Bermuda to qualify for the Pan-Am Games in Argentina next March.

Their success was also rewarded with $75,000 from the Central Organising Committee of the Pan-Am Games.

The triumph in Jamaica when Bermuda conceded just one goal -- that being a penalty against Jamaica -- in their four matches came on the heels of a productive tour of Germany.

Qualifying for the Pan-Am Games was Mark Trott's greatest achievement as a coach, as Bermudians celebrated the team's progress just as they had two years ago during early success in the World Cup qualifying stages.

The seven Bermuda players at the centre of the controversy, Keishon Smith, Herbert Dillas, Kevin Jennings, Meshach Wade, Donnie Charles, Shawn Riley and Tokia Russell are still being held in Miami on charges of importation and possession of marijuana.

Bermuda's achievement of qualifying for the Games wasn't big enough news for the America media to show much interest.

But the arrest of the players since has been featured on both CNN Headline News and in the Miami Herald newspaper.

CNN showed footage of four of the players being led to a Police van at the airport, while the front page of the local section of the Miami Herald ran the story under the headline. "Cops: Bermuda athletes hid pot in shoes.'' The story went on to say how the team members were arrested on Friday for bringing back illegal souvenirs from a tournament in Jamaica.