Soccer's world governing body, FIFA, came to Bermuda's rescue yesterday, ruling that the Island's Under-23 squad would be allowed to play in next year's Pan-Am Games finals in Argentina after all.

Their decision came only a day after CONCACAF had threatened to suspend Bermuda from all Pan-Am and Olympic competition for two years, withdraw the $75,000 awarded for the victories in Jamaica and impose a $10,000 fine.

That action was to have been put into effect if any one or more of the seven players arrested in Miami for drugs possession were found guilty. However, FIFA over-ruled the decision yesterday, saying Bermuda should be allowed to compete in Argentina -- but without the seven players who remain in a Miami jail awaiting a December 30 court hearing.

They could rejoin the squad only if the charges are dropped or not proven. In the meantime, the BFA have been ordered to suspend all seven players -- Donnie Charles, Meshach Wade, Keishon Smith, Shawn Riley, Kevin Jennings, Herbie Dillas and Tokia Russell -- with immediate effect and on a provisional basis.

BFA officials last night declined to comment on this latest development, the good news having been tempered with a FIFA revelation that the BFA were "aware of problems in connection with drugs in the Under-23 team even before the tournament in Jamaica took place'' (see story, Page 1).

General secretary David Sabir said a press conference would be held on Monday.

News of the about-turn came via a fax from FIFA's head office in Switzerland to CONCACAF president Jack Warner yesterday.

It read in part: "Having studied the case and discussed it on the phone, we are now able to give you (CONCACAF) the following advice: "A clear distinction has to be made between the sporting aspects and criminal aspects in this case.

"As regards the sporting aspects, it must be underlined that no doping tests were carried out in connection with the matches played by the Bermuda Under-23 team during the Quadrangular Tournament in Jamaica. Therefore, there is no way in which the results of said matches may be changed.

"In addition, no complaint was received by anyone regarding the attitude of the players concerned.

"Concerning the criminal aspects of the case, this depends exclusively on the American courts of law and the football bodies will have to wait on the decisions they take against the players involved.'' Later yesterday Warner contacted the BFA with the following advisory: "1) The Bermuda Football Association must suspend all the players who were identified by the Police authorities as having infringed the American drug law. This suspension must be imposed with immediate effect and is on a provisional basis.

"2) The qualification of the Bermuda Under-23 team for the Pan-Am Games is confirmed, regardless of the outcome of the court matter against the seven players, but the said seven players will not be allowed to participate in the said competition.

"3) The Bermuda Football Association has to inform both FIFA and CONCACAF of the decision taken in (1) above, of which provisional sanctions shall be extended worldwide.

"A final decision on the status of the players will be taken when the matter has been determined by the courts.

"Finally, I wish to advise that the Bermuda FA must investigate the allegations contained in the report of Mr. Ziese, which was requested by him of this Confederation, a copy of which is hereby submitted.'' The Royal Gazette was yesterday unable to obtain a copy of the Ziese report, and Ziese was last night not available for comment.

Yesterday's news means that national Under-23 coach Mark Trott can continue his preparation for the finals next March with those players who have returned from Jamaica and others who were in the 20-plus squad before it was trimmed prior to the Pan-Am qualifying games.

Under Pan-Am rules he will also be able to call on any three senior players, including professionals Shawn Goater, Kyle Lightbourne, David Bascome, who could be drafted into the squad end embark on the trip to South America.

DAVID SABIR -- no comment until Monday.