SIX members or supporters of the past Bermuda Football Association executive took the time to place a rather large advertisement in Tuesday's Royal Gazette entitled 'Distortion of Facts' – their response to a recent Friday Forum.

'A story without facts is simply fiction', they proclaimed.

But in truth, it was a futile attempt to divert attention from the past executive's behaviour.

Indeed, it was they who distorted the facts.

Of course, they are entitled to their opinion. And in some respects I should be grateful they have gone to such lengths to respond – I can take comfort from the fact that I have at least half a dozen readers!

And maybe even more who also took exception to that particular column.

However, by the same token, there are those who have concurred with the opinions expressed, including members of the current executive and at least one of the Island's leading club coaches.

After all of the fuss, it's still baffling why the disgruntled six – Leroy Lewis, Ellsworth Christopher, Alfie Eve, David Furbert, Carlton (Pepe) Dill and (maybe) Clyde Best – all of them staunch supporters of past BFA president Richard Calderon, didn't address the major concern which was outlined in that particular column.

That's probably because they had been put on the back foot and couldn't find an excuse for the manner in which Calderon contrived to seal a deal with coach Jacques Crevoisier just hours before the BFA Annual General Meeting.

That's fact not fiction.

And what is also fact is that Crevoisier doesn't concentrate only on coaching. Primarily he's a sports psychologist, currently working with Arsene Wenger at Arsenal and has been employed by Tottenham Hotspur in the same capacity.

That was never revealed by the Calderon executive. Yet they were prepared to pay him around $120,000 per annum for a few visits a year. Nice work if you can get it!

What was the executive's motive? They have yet to explain the bizarre timing.

Why would they seek to undermine the powers of the executive committee that was about to be voted in?

That's exactly what happened.

Those responsible for the advertisement alleged that I had questioned 'the ethics of Calderon's achievements'; they said I had condemned the announcement of the youth director and technical consultants as shameful; and that I had failed to recognise what Calderon had achieved in his tenure.

I'm not sure which column they had been reading. But it certainly wasn't the one published in the October 1 edition.

That article centred almost exclusively on the timing of the contract which was signed by Crevoisier – just hours before a new BFA president was voted in.

How devious was that?

Larry Mussenden and his team are now trying to unravel the sticky situation in which they find themselves.

Fortunately, it now appears Crevoisier may decline the offer to work with the BFA. It's believed Mussenden will soon receive a letter confirming Crevoisier's decision. At least his integrity can't be questioned.

One now has to wonder whether the Frenchman was aware the contract he agreed to sign might not be endorsed by the new executive just a few hours later.

Was he aware too that such a deal would create such controversy? Highly unlikely. That's probably why he no longer wants the job.

It's well known, and has been known for many years, that there are two factions who attempt to run Bermuda football.

Some of those who put their name to Tuesday's ad have been more of a hindrance than a help. How many of them actually attend games? Ask some of the Premier Division coaches what they think of them?

The "old guard" think they know it all but contribute precious little to the sport.

That's not my opinion but that of many involved in the game and members of affiliate clubs. I know because they've told me.

They don't want to be named because they feel they might exacerbate the rift which already exists.

The six responsible who lambasted my column completely ignored the question that everyone had been asking – why was the contract signed on the eve of the AGM.

That isn't poor timing, it's hugely disrespectful to those who were about to take over football's reins.

The last executive approved the hiring of current technical director Derek Broadley, singing his praises after the appointment. But all of a sudden they complain he wasn't doing the job expected. And on that note, it is believed Broadley is now considering taking legal action.

What the public and local fans should know is that same executive knew of his capabilities from his time at Reading Rage, a club in which both Richard and Robert Calderon had a stake. Indeed, at one time both were close friends of Broadley.

Fact, not fiction.

Calderon may have been responsible for many initiatives during his tenure – cut short by two years because of work commitments – but how would anyone know outside the BFA?

He refused to be interviewed despite numerous requests from this newspaper. Why was he afraid to share his contributions with the media and the public?

The advertisement ended on this note: 'We all wish the new President and his Executive well. If they succeed, then football will succeed and that is our wish."

If that's the case, why did they seek to employ Crevoisier just prior to the AGM? That's hardly offering support to Mussenden. It's quite the opposite.

Finally, there was one signature among those who paid for the ad that came as somewhat of a surprise.

Clyde Best writes a wonderful column for this newspaper which I believe is well read. While a mild mannered man, Clyde has never been afraid to voice his opinion either on the overseas football scene or on the local leagues, and he takes it on the chin if anyone fails to agree with him.

I regard him a good friend, and like Crevoisier, a man of integrity.

I also know he has had far more pressing matters to deal with in recent weeks. Football has been the last thing on his mind.

But as a group, they have been determined to mislead the public. And they almost succeeded.

–- ADRIAN ROBSON