Ten days before seven members of the Bermuda Under-23 squad were charged with importing and possessing marijuana in the United States, Technical Director of Coaching Burkhard Ziese sent a hand-written letter to a Bermuda Football Association (BFA) executive painting a sordid picture of rampant drug use on the team.

Memos written by Mr. Ziese to BFA first vice president Mr. Neville Tyrell and general secretary Mr. David Sabir and obtained yesterday by The Royal Gazette clearly point out how the governing body for soccer in Bermuda was keenly aware of drug abuse on the team.

On Thursday Mr. Ziese informed CONCACAF president Mr. Jack Warner how the BFA was "aware of the facts but were very reluctant to take any action at all''.

The latest revelations are bound to put Mr. Ziese's future with Bermuda football in doubt, while pressure is mounting on members of the BFA heirarchy to resign.

In obvious discomfort, embattled BFA president Mr. Richard Thompson, contacted at his home yesterday, refused to comment on Mr. Ziese's correspondence.

"I have nothing to say,'' Mr. Thompson said several times. "Please, I am at home and I'm trying to enjoy... trying to get some things done. Can't you understand I have nothing to say?'' The CONCACAF president, meantime, said that if he was on the executive of the BFA he would now have no choice but to submit his resignation.

Former BFA president Mr. Charles Marshall, falling short of asking for anyone's resignation, yesterday demanded a full inquiry into the burgeoning scandal.

"If the association ignored these issues then they were totally irresponsible, it was a bad error,'' said Mr. Marshall. "If they were aware of it then they condoned it by their lack of ability to do anything about it.

"We all know there's a drug problem not only at national level but at club level. It's massive. It's like a cancer because leaders are continuously ignoring it.'' When informed of the revelations contained in Mr. Ziese's letters, Youth, Recreation and Sport Minister the Hon. Pamela Gordon said last night: "That is not good.'' Ms Gordon, who refused to comment further, said that the BFA had been asked to submit a "full'' -- but interim -- report on the crisis. She intends to ask the BFA for copies of Mr. Ziese's memos this morning.

Mr. Ziese told The Royal Gazette last night that the Minister had also requested a separate report from him concerning the drug allegations, due today at 5.00 p.m. The beleaguered German said that he is prepared to continue in his post despite the latest developments. Ms. Gordon is expecting the BFA to provide her with all information by 5 p.m. today "from the moment the team was chosen''. She also said the issue would be discussed during the weekly Cabinet meeting tomorrow.

Later she added: "If (the BFA) knew of any drug problems, that would be very unfortunate.'' Ms Gordon said that Government does not have the power to ask for anyone to resign, but that funding can be withheld.

In the letter dated November 28 to Mr. Tyrell, and copied to BFA general secretary Mr. David Sabir and coach Mr. Mark Trott, Mr. Ziese said he quickly discovered that "five to seven players are smoking marijuana since our arrival'' in Jamaica.

"I believe it is now high time to make a clear and stern decision in this regard...you will understand that I am sick and tired of these incidents.'' Two days later, following a meeting with Mr. Trott and several players, Mr.

Ziese wrote to Mr. Sabir recommending that any player breaking "the BFA instruction not to smoke marijuana'' be immediately sent home.

In his letter to Mr. Warner, Mr. Ziese revealed how during the November 30 meeting he was informed "that allegedly six out of the seven players present were on drugs.

"During the meeting, which lasted for approximately one-and-a-half hours, three players, namely Marvin Lewis, Kevin Jennings and Raynel Lightbourne confessed that they had a drug problem.

"I informed immediately (Tyrell) the outcome of the meeting, called the BFA general secretary and followed up with my recommendations by fax. The general secretary was in the opinion that the matter should be decided by (Tyrell) in Jamaica and not in Bermuda. (Tyrell) refused once again to take appropriate action.'' `Bermuda soccer will fall further before it gets better' Mr. Sabir did not return phone calls yesterday.

Mr. Warner decided to release copies of Mr. Ziese's letters so that "the public in Bermuda can get a clear picture of the facts'' which guided his decision to slap the Under-23's with a provisional two-year suspension on Thursday.

That judgement was overturned by FIFA on Friday, opening the door for Bermuda to play in the Pan-Am finals Argentina, but without the seven players if they are found guilty at a hearing in Miami next week.

Mr. Warner said he was first notified of drug use on the Bermuda team at a breakfast meeting with Mr. Ziese on December 5 in Jamaica.

"I went to him to ask him why some of his players are playing indifferently and seem to be so ill-tempered at times,'' said Mr. Warner yesterday. "I asked him `what is the problem of the Bermuda team?''' Several days earlier Mr. Warner met with Mr. Thompson "and he didn't tell me anything and I didn't ask him. I felt it would have been more prudent for him to tell me.'' The CONCACAF president also revealed yesterday that Canadian team manager Les Wilson filed a report following the December 3 game that he smelled marijuana coming from the Bermuda dressing room.

At the breakfast meeting Mr. Warner said that Mr. Ziese "told me about organisational problems, about drug problems and a lack of respect for his initiatives and so on.

"I saw him as a frustrated man. And I said `if you're so frustrated I can get you another permit in another country.' He said that he would stick by his three-year contract.

"He said there were several players on the team involved in drugs and he had spoken to the staff about it and at best they couldn't care less and at most they asked him to mind his own business.'' Mr. Warner said he felt Mr. Ziese's days in Bermuda football were numbered but "in any case it would have been, this thing or not''.

In his letter last week Mr. Ziese wrote "you will understand that I will have great mental problems to continue with such an incompetent association.'' Mr. Warner said that because of drug problems associated with the Under-23 squad, Bermuda soccer teams would encounter difficulties from Customs officials from now on. "They shall be looked at with double eyes, so to speak.'' Later he said: "I think (Bermuda soccer) will fall further before it gets better...before it rises again.'' He said Mr. Ziese showed courage in blowing the whistle on drug use and CONCACAF will find him a job if he can no longer stay in Bermuda.

"I have given the assurance to him that if anything happens out of this because of spite I shall make sure he's protected worldwide.''