Several members of Bermuda's national women's softball team are believed to have failed mandatory drug tests, according to sources close to TheRoyal Gazette.

As many as three players, selected for the fifth Pan American Softball Championships in Maracay, Venezuela last week, are thought to have fallen foul of pre-event testing, mandatory when national teams compete overseas, and their names had to be scratched from the squad.

A weakened team took part in the tournament and crashed to defeat in all seven games. Whether or not the absence of those players directly contributed to the team's losses against Brazil, Colombia, the Bahamas, Guatemala, Netherlands Antilles, the USA and Mexico is unclear.

Softball officials contacted by TheRoyal Gazette are either keeping tight-lipped about the allegations or are not returning calls.

Anthony Mouchette, who was head coach of the team, while not outright denying the claims when put directly to him, said it was not for him to comment.

"I can't really answer that," he said. "I am not really in a position to answer that question. The president might be able to shed some light on that."

President of the Bermuda Amateur Softball Association, Erica Smith, did not return calls to her home.

Benedict Associates Ltd., the agency responsible for carrying out the tests, were also unable to be contacted late last night.

However, Austin Woods, chairman of the Bermuda Council for Drug Free Sports, did comment briefly on the situation.

"I am not aware of who was selected for the squad, however, I am aware of the fact that there were some individuals who were pre-selected who did not go with the squad. That's all I can say," he said.

Refusing to expand on his statement, Woods did say he expected to have more details in the next few weeks when the national sports governing body, BASA, reported to the BCDS.

However, whether any of that information will be made public is debatable.

In the past Woods has refused to name those who fail tests, and sometimes even the sport they participate in, for fear of reprisals outside of the sporting arena.

If the allegation is proven to be correct then it will represent a blow to the game of softball on the Island.

It was only in February that BASA agreed to fully comply with the Woods' organisation with regard to testing of players.

Previously the association had refused to accept requests for random testing and subsequently they were banned from using Bernard Park by the Government.

That move threw the climax to last season into turmoil with fixtures unable to be fulfilled.