Devonshire Cougars prolific goalscorer Raymond Beach missed last Sunday's FA Cup quarter-final clash against Boulevard because his club believed he was suspended.

But, according to Bermuda Football Association records, the striker was eligible to play.

Questions arose over Beach's whereabouts during Sunday's cup tie which ended in a 2-2 draw after extra time.

Later Cougars contended that their star forward had accumulated three yellow cards and was therefore not able to play under BFA rules.

However, subsequent calls to the BFA offices led to the discovery that the top poacher had not been booked three times and therefore could have played.

"There is nothing in our records to suggest the player in question had in fact been required to serve out a one-match suspension," said a BFA spokesperson when contacted by .

Beach's club believed the player had been slapped with an automatic one-game suspension after receiving what they thought was a third booking during last week's Premier Division clash against North Village.

And although Cougars were never officially notified of the ban, senior officials decided it was best not to play the striker to avoid a repeat of last season's FA Cup debacle which saw the Devonshire club sensationally booted out of the competition for fielding an ineligible player.

Cougars' bid for cup glory was cut short when midfielder Kori Goddard turned out for the March 9 semi-final against Prospect which the Premier Division club won convincingly 5-2.

Following the match it was discovered that Goddard should have served a one-game suspension for accumulating three bookings. And the BFA said they had no option but to award the victory, and a place in the final, to Prospect.

Initially, Cougars claimed not to have been properly notified by the BFA over the suspension and lodged an appeal.

After weeks of public wrangling, the matter was finally resolved by a BFA tribunal which dismissed Cougars' appeal, allowing the association's initial ruling to stand.

BFA general secretary David Sabir told then: "It had been a matter of practise and courtesy for the BFA to remind teams when players have attained suspensions.

"We must then put the onus and responsibility on team managers, executives and coaches that they must be aware at all times if their players are close to receiving three cautions or have three cautions. That means they have to have better record keeping. But the BFA will continue to remind clubs of players' ineligibility. We have undertaken the responsibility to assist our clubs with notification."

It was that statement which prompted the precautionary action taken by Cougars last weekend.

"We had it recorded that he (Beach) had accumulated three yellow cards and so we didn't play him," said Devonshire Recreation Club secretary Ellsworth Christopher.

"They (BFA) never sent us any information ? as was the case last year concerning the other fellow (Goddard). We didn't play Beach because we felt he had three yellow cards, and if the BFA ? in their wisdom believe otherwise ? then so be it."