Embattled soccer chiefs approached Government over legal fees racked up by the Miami Under-23 drugs controversy, The Royal Gazette has learned.

The Bermuda Football Association asked Sport Minister the Hon. Pamela Gordon to hammer out her Ministry's position on legal aid.

"I made it very clear that according to our mandate our provision is specifically for the assistance of sport and recreation, such as assistance with youth programmes,'' said Ms Gordon.

Legal assistance did not fall into that category, she stressed.

Ms Gordon, however, said she could not answer for other ministries.

Her comments come amid continuing doubt over who is footing the cost of legal representation for the players awaiting trial in Miami on drugs charges.

The Royal Gazette has received reports the players' lawyer Mr. H.T. Smith has already submitted a hefty bill.

But yesterday Mr. Smith was unavailable for comment, and the BFA was remaining silent.

"In due course the BFA will discuss matters in respect of recent events,'' said the association's general secretary Mr. David Sabir.

The association initially forked out some $27,000 to cover bail costs for the adult players, and a legal retainer for Mr. Smith.

Last month Mr. Sabir said discussions on extra funding were being held.

Sources have claimed the matter of a bill came up during a Monday night meeting between local lawyer Mr. Delroy Duncan and parents of the players charged with possessing and importing marijuana.

Mr. Duncan, who is giving legal advice to the parents, said last night he had been instructed not to speak to the Press.

Meanwhile, a hearing for the juvenile among the seven players arrested last month at Miami International Airport was due to be held today.

Seventeen-year-old Tokia Russell is expected to appear before the Juvenile Justice Centre at Dade County.

It is understood the prosecution will announce whether they wish to pursue his case in an adult or juvenile court.

Chief of narcotics of the Dade County Attorney's Office Mr. David Weinstein revealed a trial date had now been fixed for another of the players, Meshach Wade.

"It will be held in early February,'' he said.

Charges against Wade, who captained Bermuda's nationals in the last World Cup qualifying campaign, were recently dropped by mistake.

But the prosecution later refiled them, and issued an arrest warrant.

"The warrant for Wade has now been quashed,'' said Mr. Weinstein, adding the player had appeared in court last week.

Mr. Weinstein said trial dates for Shawn Riley, Herbert Dillas and Donnie Charles had been set for February 6.

And the trials for Keishon Smith and Kevin Jennings would be held later in the month, he added.

"The matter of having the cases consolidated so they are all dealt with in one court is still being discussed.'' Mr. Smith has called for his clients to appear before a single judge.

If convicted of the charges, the players could face up to five years in prison.

Mr. Burkhard Ziese, dismissed from his job as Technical Director of Coaching by the BFA, has slapped a writ on the association.

The writ was entered in the Supreme Court register yesterday. Mr. Ziese is being represented by lawyer Mr. Alan Dunch.

MS GORDON: Legal aid not our mandate.