criticism of its live coverage of the World Cup soccer game between Bermuda and Haiti.

Mr. Fletcher was stung by several complaints from the public that ZBM's coverage left a lot to be desired.

Several viewers complained that: ZBM missed Bermuda's only goal because it was showing a commercial; Commentator Mr. Rick Richardson did not understand the away goals rule, and; Disjointed voice-over excerpts from advertisements kept appearing during play.

Mr. Fletcher admitted the broadcast was not flawless, but added that the television station had to overcome a nightmare of hitches to televise the match at all.

ZBM had been negotiating to take live coverage for two weeks before the match, but did still not feel confident about receiving pictures right up to kick-off, said Mr. Fletcher.

"I did not enjoy the game one little bit because I was expecting the Haitians to pull the plug at any minute,'' he told The Royal Gazette . "You can imagine how popular I would have been with soccer fans if that had happened.'' His fear of the broadcast being stopped in mid-flow -- which he said the Haitians had threatened to do -- was one of the reasons why Colonial Insurance's advert was being shown when Bermuda scored its goal, he said.

Much of the uncertainty about the coverage was down to an 11th hour pull-out by the Haitian community in Boston, who had agreed to take coverage and help pay for costs.

But when they failed to come up with any money on the eve of the match, ZBM had to foot the entire bill, said Mr. Fletcher.

"Our costs went up considerably,'' he said. "It was a nightmare.'' He added: "It was the first away game we've televised live and we could not have chosen a more difficult country in the world to deal with.'' Undeterred, ZBM was planning to show live away coverage of Bermuda's next World Cup game, against Antigua, on June 14.

"My only hope, though, is that Bermuda don't eventually end up playing Nigeria,'' said Mr. Fletcher. "If they do, it is going to be the Haiti nightmare all over again.'' Meanwhile, commentator Mr. Rick Richardson said that many Bermuda players and officials were also confused about the away goals rule.

"Several players were prepared to play extra time at the end of the game,'' he said.

Mr. Richardson is hosting a sports special on ZBM channel nine tomorrow between 8-9 p.m. focussing on several aspects of the Bermuda versus Haiti match. Guests will include Bermuda's national team manager Mr. Gary Darrell and trainer Mr. Nick Jones.

A live phone-in will take place to enable viewers to air their views and ask questions.