on Monday evening after the Haitian Football Federation failed to pay the Bermuda team's departure tax as previously agreed.

The BFA paid for Haiti's accommodation, food and departure taxes when they were here last month for the first leg and their opponents agreed to reciprocate for the same length of time -- two days -- even though the Bermuda team spent four days in Haiti.

After travelling back to the airport without Haitian football officials to see them off, tour manager Mr. Elroy Ratteray tried unsuccessfully to get in touch with someone from their federation when he learned the departure tax ($US20 per person in the official party of 25) was not paid.

He was then forced to go into the team's emergency funds to get the Bermuda team out of the country after immigration officials explained it was against policy to accept credit cards.

It was actually easier to get into the troubled country than it was to get out. The situation at the airport when the team tried to leave, which also included the confiscation of the batteries from some players' Walkmans because of "radio interference'', tarnished an otherwise successful and enjoyable tour.

Said team manager Mr. Mark Trott: "It was the most disappointing part of the trip. They were courteous when we arrived and at the match. After Elroy couldn't get in contact with anyone from the federation we decided to go ahead and pay it (departure tax). We've made the president (Mr. Charlie Marshall) aware of the situation and FIFA will probably get involved if Haiti insists on not paying.

"Little things like that are agitating, especially when you get to the airport early enough to plan for the trip. You do get a little frustrated when people who are supposed to be there to help you are not around.'' Mr. Trott stressed the confiscation of the batteries was not done by airline officials but by security personnel. "I knew that it had to be a quick one,'' he said of the radio interference excuse.

That experience apart, the trip was rewarding with the Bermuda team purchasing blankets for sick children at a hospital in the capital of Port-au-Prince.

"The people of Haiti were some of the most friendly people we've ever encountered,'' Mr. Trott admitted.

"One of the things we noticed is that the Haitian players displayed a lot of pride and guts. From what we've heard people here were disappointed with the way we played but our players gave all they had despite the conditions. They were prepared to die for their country. When you could take a pair of socks, wring them and watch water come out then you know that they played hard. I want people to be aware of that.'' The Bermuda team arrived home yesterday afternoon and was met at the airport by officials which included Minister of Youth and Sports the Hon. Pamela Gordon, Director Mr. Brenton Roberts and Mr. Marshall.