Potential witnesses at the board of inquiry into the soccer csandal have refused to testify -- unless it is held in private.

The threatened boycott was revealed last night by Sport Minister the Hon.

Pamela Gordon.

Now she is recommending the board respect the wishes of those who want to speak in private.

Said Ms Gordon: "People have told me they would not feel comfortable if the inquiry was in public, and would not participate.

"They are afraid they would be subject to vendettas or certain things they say could be interpreted as offensive.'' She added: "I will be recommending that the board accommodates those who prefer privacy, as well as those who want to speak in public. It is up to the chairman to decide what to do.'' Ms Gordon stressed the findings of the inquiry -- to be chaired by former Premier the Hon. Sir John Sharpe -- would be made public, and parts of the reports made known.

Her disclosure came just hours after Shadow Sport Minister Dr. Ewart Brown entered the soccer controversy with his political gun blazing.

Backing the idea of a public inquiry, he called for the Sir John to be removed as chairman of the board because of links with the Bermuda Football Association.

"There would be a conflict of interest,'' he declared.

He also demanded Sport Minister the Hon. Pamela Gordon clear up confusion over how much she knew about soccer's drug problems.

And he accused Technical Director of Coaching Mr. Burkhard Ziese of displaying "arrogant disregard'' to the BFA and Ms Gordon.

Dr. Brown went on to appeal for the Board of Inquiry to be public, and to tackle drug abuse throughout Bermuda.

He entered the fray as it emerged: The seven arrested players -- Donnie Charles, Herbie Dillas, Shawn Riley, Keishon Smith, Meshach Wade, Kevin Jennings and Tokia Russell -- could be banned for life from the national game, and for seven years from domestic soccer, even if found innocent in Miami; and Some Bermuda World Cup players reportedly tested positive for drugs -- an allegation repeated by Dr. Brown.

Yesterday Ms Gordon announced the names of the four members who will sit with Sir John on the inquiry board.

They included former MP Mr. Eugene Blakeney and lawyer Mr. Kenneth Robinson, who like Sir John are honorary vice-presidents of the BFA.

The other members were ex-Cup Match cricketer Mr. Calvin (Bummy) Symonds and Bank of Bermuda executive vice-president of administration Mr. Louis Mowbray, said Ms Gordon.

"These gentlemen are highly respected members of the community with a demonstrated interest in football.'' Answering charges of Sir John having a conflict of interest, Ms Gordon asked: "Who better to look at football than people with a background in football, as well as being very credible?'' Ms Gordon also outlined the terms of reference of the board. They were to inquire into: All circumstances leading up to, and surrounding the arrest in Miami on December 9 of members of the Under-23 squad returning from the Pan Am Games qualifying tournament in Jamaica; The incidence of the misuse of drugs in football; and Any other matters which appear to the board to be relevant.

The board has been asked as well to make recommendations aimed at encouraging a drug-free environment within football.

Said Ms Gordon: "The Bermuda Football Association have assured me of their full support and I ask all organisations and individuals concerned to cooperate fully with the board in their efforts to clarify this serious issue.'' The board is expected to begin its inquiry early in January.

Dr. Brown waded into the crisis yesterday at a Press conference at the Progressive Labour Party's headquarters.

He declared the PLP assumed the seven players were innocent until proven guilty of the charges of possessing and importing marijuana.

"Our major concern is that the truth be determined and not that individuals be protected -- be they players, coaches, officials of the BFA or ministers of Government.'' Dr. Brown touched on Mr. Ziese's claims that Ms Gordon had received information about drug abuse in the squad before it went to Jamaica.

The allegations have been firmly denied by Ms Gordon.

Said Dr. Brown: "The Hon. Minister Pamela Gordon must lead the way to the facts by disclosing exactly what she knew and what she did not know.

"Either Mr. Ziese was telling the truth or the Minister was telling the truth.

"But since their stories do not match up it is critical to determine who was telling Bermudians the truth.

"This is much more important than the Minister's suggestion that the Police carry out background checks on athletes who represent Bermuda.

"This is not the job of the Police. It is the job of the respective sporting body to have its staff obtain a Police clearance, but to involve the Police any more directly than that is to waste their time and talent.

"In addition, closer than necessary involvement on the part of the Police would prejudice their position in the event they were required to investigate individuals after being so closely connected with `vigorous background checks'.'' Dr. Brown then pulled Mr. Ziese into his sights, questioning the German's conduct.

"First of all, for whom does Mr. Ziese work? Is is the BFA or is it CONCACAF or is it the former BFA president Mr. Charles Marshall? "When one attempts to track the paths of Mr. Ziese's numerous memos and meetings, two things become clear.'' Dr. Brown said Mr. Ziese knew of marijuana smoking by his players and still permitted them to play in the final game in Jamaica.

He said Mr. Ziese also claimed to have reported illegal behaviour on the part of players to his superiors.

Conflict claim "At that point had Mr. Ziese tendered his resignation if would have served to highlight the severity of the drug problem among our athletes.

"Instead, Mr. Ziese demonstrated arrogant disregard for his employers in the BFA as well as the Hon. Minister Ms Gordon who I'm confident would have responded urgently to such a development.

"Mr. Ziese should have done what his former boss Mr. Charles Marshall did.

Mr. Marshall resigned, in part he says, because of drug use by soccer players.

"Mr. Marshall also called for a Board of Inquiry to examine drug use in the sport.

"Not a bad idea but rather late and inconsistent -- why did Mr. Marshall not call for a similar Board of Inquiry in 1991 when a number of World Cup players tested positive for drugs and were still allowed to play in the World Cup competition?'' Mr. Marshall has denied knowledge of the results of the drugs tests.

In Miami yesterday, Mr. H.T. Smith, the lawyer of the seven arrested players, said he should know this afternoon whether they will be home for Christmas.

He said his main concern now was to reconstruct events leading up to his clients' arrests.

Mr. Smith said written "not guilty'' pleas had already been entered for the players.

This meant there was no requirement for any of them -- except the juvenile, Russell -- to be present for the arraignment hearing on December 30.

"At this point I don't know whether they will be appearing.'' He added a trial date should be set at the hearing.

Russell, however, would have to appear before Judge Cindy Lederman at a juvenile court on December 30, said Mr. Smith, adding there was a good chance the case could be disposed of quickly.