Soccer's world governing body, FIFA, yesterday claimed that Bermuda Football Association were well aware of drug problems within their Under-23 squad before this month's ill-fated tour to Jamaica.

FIFA said the problems were outlined in a fax which was sent by BFA Technical Director Mr. Burkhard Ziese to head of the Under-23 delegation Mr. Neville Tyrell on November 28.

The team left for Jamaica on November 26. Two weeks later, after defeating both Canada and Jamaica in Pan-Am Games qualifying matches and earning a place in the finals next March, the squad were rocked when seven players were arrested at Miami airport for allegedly importing and possessing marijuana.

Donnie Charles, Meshach Wade, Keishon Smith, Shawn Riley, Kevin Jennings and Herbert Dillas last night remained in a Miami jail awaiting their next court appearance on December 30. A seventh player Tokia Russell is being held at a Juvenile Centre.

BFA officials have repeatedly denied any knowledge of their players' involvement with drugs.

However, reliable sources have informed The Royal Gazette that as many as five players in Jamaica were caught smoking `weed' in their hotel room, but no disciplinary action taken.

It has also been learned another fax concerning the drugs problem was sent to CONCACAF, under whose umbrella the BFA falls, by Mr. Ziese on Thursday of this week, although the contents are not known.

Mr. Ziese was not with the Under-23 squad during the Miami drugs bust, having remained in Jamaica on "doctor's orders'' because of a chronic ear infection.

He has declined to comment on the arrests.

Yesterday's disturbing revelation came on the heels of news that Bermuda would be allowed to compete in next year's Pan-Am Games finals in Argentina after all.

But BFA officials remained tight-lipped on both that good news and the FIFA allegations last night, general secretary Mr. David Sabir refusing to comment.

He said the BFA would hold a Press conference on Monday.

In a fax sent yesterday from FIFA's head office in Switzerland to president of CONCACAF, Mr. Jack Warner, which was copied to The Royal Gazette , FIFA noted it "was informed that the Bermuda Football Association was aware of the fact that there were problems in connection with drugs in its Under-23 team even before the tournament in Jamaica took place.

"In this respect we refer to the fax sent on November 28, 1994 by Mr. Ziese to Mr. Tyrell (head of delegation of the Under-23 team), a copy of which is in your possession.'' A separate message sent by the head of FIFA's legal department, Mr. Michel Zen-Ruffinen to Mr. Warner yesterday, indicating that Bermuda should be reinstated to the Pan-Am finals, also included the following paragraph: "The Bermuda FA must be asked to take a position on the allegations contained in the fax which was sent to your Confederation yesterday by Mr. Ziese.'' The latest news prompts two immediate questions: If BFA officials were aware of drug problems with certain Under-23 players why were these players not disciplined, and why were they allowed to stay with the squad in Jamaica? Those questions last night remained unanswered.

Technical Director Mr. Burkhard Ziese.