with local media members yesterday during a late afternoon news conference, convinced that the Under-23 squad will still be permitted to play in the Pan American Games next March in Argentina.

Looking exhausted, BFA president Richard Thompson, general secretary David Sabir, second vice president Elroy Ratteray and directors Gregory Grimes and Michael Pemberton fielded a barrage of questions after spending the entire weekend dealing with the difficult aftermath of seven Bermuda players being charged in Miami with possession and importing marijuana.

"My whole weekend has been occupied with this tragedy, but I'm holding up,'' Thompson said following the 45-minute session. "It comes with the territory I guess.'' Thompson first read from a prepared text saying that "we intend to compete in Argentina and we are determined that Bermuda should do well in Argentina.'' For BFA officials, however, the weekend took on the eerie gloom of the slate gray sky, as they attempted to come to grips with the shock from the six players -- Meshach Wade, Herbie Dillas, Shawn Riley, Keishon Smith, Donnie Charles and Kevin Jennings -- who were being held in a Florida jail cell for allegedly carrying marijuana in their shoes or carry-on luggage. Tokia Russell, the seventh player and a juvenile, is being held in a youth detention centre.

"I can't be confident that they'll be sent back to Bermuda,'' said Thompson.

"We're confident that they'll be bailed, but whether they'll come back to Bermuda that's up to the immigration (officials).

Ever since the players were whisked off by customs officials, there has been mounting concern that Bermuda would not be permitted to participate in the Pan Am Games. There was also a question mark hanging over whether the BFA would be able to retain the $75,000 it received as a reward for qualifying.

When asked if the arrests would put Pan Am plans in jeopardy Thompson tersely stated: "Not as far as (we're) concerned.'' Although the BFA has not been in contact with FIFA or CONCACAF, they are expected to do so within the next few days.

Also, Thompson suggested that if the youths are permitted to return home after the $2,000 bail for each player is posted, it's possible they will be allowed to compete for their individual clubs prior to their December 30 court date.

"I would like to believe they could play, but again this situation is warranting continuous meetings,'' said Thompson. "As situations arise we will have to make decisions.'' Thompson, who took over as president of the BFA earlier this year, is facing his sternest test yet in the role.

Soccer officials have been ensconced in the BFA's office on Cedar Avenue during most of the hours since the scandal began to unfold on Friday afternoon.

"We left the office 3.30 on Saturday morning and I have been in constant contact with our attorney overseas,'' said Sabir. "We've been trying to get as many details as we can.'' Added Thompson: "And we've been here since 10 a.m. today (Sunday).'' The grind of dealing with one of the most difficult situations the BFA has ever faced was palpable during the media session.

The early part of the day was reserved for meeting with parents of the youths, described as emotional by Thompson.

Some parents were apparently concerned that players were left alone when Neville Tyrell, head of the touring party and a BFA first vice president, decided to return home to Bermuda on Friday instead of staying with them.

"Whether that was a sound decision or not I can't say,'' said Thompson. "I was a bit surprised that someone did not stay behind. It's a judgement call and I'm not going to say if it was a bad judgement call.'' The BFA yesterday dispatched Tyrell to Miami while Nelson Bascome, another executive committee member, will depart for Florida today.

In his statement Thompson said Under-23 coach Mark Trott would also go to Miami, but at his own expense.

Later, however, when Trott was unable to arrange funding for the trip, he opted not to go.

Technical Director of Coaching Burkhard Ziese, meanwhile, remained in Jamaica last night, suffering from a middle ear infection and outer ear inflammation.

He was scheduled to see a physician this afternoon before getting clearance to return home.

When contacted at his hotel yesterday, Ziese said he was awaiting a telephone call from Sabir to get the latest information and refused to comment on the matter. If he was allowed to return to Bermuda, it was not certain whether he would first go to Miami to check on the players.

"There is no statement from myself,'' he said. "It has been agreed with the general secretary and with the president that with me being here I would not make any comment.

"I will make my feelings clear once I'm in Bermuda. I do not know what the situation is or where the players are.'' Later he asked: "Are the players still in Miami? I don't know anything about that.'' Thompson said that all the Under-23 players were warned by Tyrell about the folly of carrying drugs prior to leaving Jamaica.

He also hinted that future policy could include the BFA checking players' baggage before leaving a tour.

"Many things have been discussed and many lessons will have been learned out of this,'' said Thompson. "Of course there will be new policies put in place.

We will make every attempt that this sort of thing will never happen again.'' He said that if the players are found guilty they will also be disciplined by the BFA and "there's no way they'll be able to participate at the national level again.'' Sabir said the current crisis would have no affect on next year's Olympic qualifying run or warm-up games for Argentina.

The BFA are also dealing with a flood of rumours since the arrests and Trott denied that he caught several players engaged in smoking marijuana while the Under-23s were touring Germany in October.

"I can tell you it's incorrect and if someone is saying that they are absolutely lying.'' said Trott.

Said Sabir: "There's a lot of rumours and speculation out there.'' Also scotched was a report that German officials wrote a letter to BFA saying they were unhappy with the behaviour of certain team members.

SOMBRE MOOD -- BFA executive members (from left to right) Elroy Ratteray, Richard Thompson, David Sabir and Gregory Grimes officially met the media yesterday for the first time since the drug scandal unfolded.