Dear Sir,

The Bermuda Football Association has put itself in bad standings with the people it needs most - its spectators and sponsors.

If you, the administration, want us to support the game then you must play the game fairly.

You launched the Martonmere Cup raffle for some great prizes at $10 a ticket which seemingly didn't sell as expected.

The draw was supposed to be held on Monday, November 11 at the Cup Final. This did not happen. On Monday, November 18 there was a notice in The Royal Gazette from the BFA announcing that the raffle was extended until January 1, 2003.

This is obviously your attempt to sell more tickets. The notice came with no apology to the raffle holders and is certainly a case of moving the goalposts, maybe right off the field for some.

This extension was not done in the name of Fair Play or in the words of the Lotteries Act which says, the extension must be granted and an announcement must be made to the public via The Gazette before the date of the draw expires.

Now we can cry offside and foul!

The granting of an extension was late and posted in TheGazette seven days late. Therefore, the draw should have taken place on November 11.

I attended all three Under-17 matches and the attendance was not good but the raffle sellers were not pushing the raffles as they should. I also attended the Martonmere Cup Final and did not see one person selling raffles.

This is a big part of the problem. When you are selling raffles, everyone at the event should know when you come around. I had to find the seller to buy my raffles.

This is also most unfair to the sponsors who expect you to work hard and profit from their donations and not see you make half-hearted attempts with their sponsorship.

Please, lead by example. Do the right thing if you want to regain both the public and sponsors respect and support.

WE ARE WATCHING FOOTBALL

AND WATCHING YOU