Bermuda Cricket Board (BCB) have launched an investigation probe into senior national cricketers who have seemingly ignored a directive prohibiting them from playing football in the final lead-up to next month’s ICC World Twenty20 Qualifiers in Dubai.

The issue rose to the surface after it was discovered national squad skipper Janeiro Tucker and Southampton Rangers team-mate Dion Stovell played in a Premier Division match at the weekend.

Both players came on a subs and scored in Rangers’ 3-1 come-from-behind victory over Hamilton Parish at Southampton Oval.

Another player, Allan Douglas Jr, played for St David’s the previous weekend.

In a statement sent out on their website late this afternoon the BCB revealed they were currently investigating players who continue to play football despite being ordered not to.

“The BCB is aware that some national squad players have recently played soccer. This matter is under investigation,” read the statement. “There will be no further comment until the investigation is complete.”

In a recent interview with this newspaper, national coach Arnold Manders said squad members would be prohibited from playing football once Bermuda’s World Twenty20 squad was chosen.

“Once the squad has been announced for the tournament they will not be allowed to play football,” he said.

The Bermuda squad was announced during an October 15 press conference at Bermuda Cricket Board (BCB) headquarters.

It is understood that the squad players were warned again at the weekend that they risked being “dropped” from the team if they played anymore football.

The World Cup Qualifiers will be held in Dubai from November 15-30.

Bermuda have been pitted against Scotland, Denmark, Holland, Afghanistan, Kenya, Nepal and Papua New Guinea in Group B. Group A includes Ireland, Canada, UAE, Namibia, Hong Kong, Uganda, USA and Italy.

Six of the 16 countries represented will progress to the main tournament in Bangladesh next year.

Bermuda advanced to the qualifiers after finishing runners-up at March’s ICC America Division T20 Championship in Florida.

Bermuda are fresh off three losses to Americas rivals USA in Florida, losing by eight wickets, 30 runs and 44 runs at Brian Picollo Park.

Bermuda will play additional warm-up matches against Italy and Canada in Dubai before taking on Scotland in their opening World Twenty20 qualifier on November 15.