Bermuda Football Association (BFA) president Larry Mussenden has "categorically" denied the association have been acting out a personal vendetta against Devonshire Recreation Club following a 2003 verbal spat involving then national coach Kenny Thompson and prospective national team players Heys Wolfe and Raymond Beach.

The dynamic duo were subsequently suspended for their outburst with the coach at the National Sports Centre (NSC), but later had their suspensions lifted after the Ministry of Sports Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) arbitration panel upheld Devonshire's appeal due to a technicality on the BFA's behalf during the initial disciplinary process.

"The association has not carried out any kind of bad take from one event to the next. We have just applied the rules as we find them," Mussenden told The Royal Gazette last night.

On the eve of Santos' tour of the Island last January Beach, Wolfe and Butterfield received bans ranging from one to three years for failing to turn up for mandatory national team drugs scans after initial scans tested 'invalid'.

Both Wolfe and Butterfield had their bans overturned last April while Beach continues to serve a three-year ban.

The player's case has remained in the hands of the Ministry of Sports Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) arbitration panel since last June.

BFA executives were due to discuss the ongoing matter during last night's executive meeting at the association's offices on Cedar Avenue.

Mussenden continued: "I would like to see us get through all of this and see them returned to the field to play.

"However, we also have a duty to adhere to the rules and agreements we are signatory to and so we have to follow that."

As for BFA executive and Bermuda Council for Drug Free Sports (BCDS) chairman Jon Beard's involvement in the matter, Mussenden said: "Bermuda would not survive in a lot of areas if people did not volunteer their time. And if Mr.Beard has volunteered his time to several different causes then that's more power to him.

"We're just grateful to have him on our executive (BFA) for the work that he does for us. I don't see this as a conflict at all. A lot of people serve in different areas.

"The BFA loves its affiliates and the family of football. We may disagree at times but in the end there is an overriding principle of love."

Devonshire officials believe BCDS executive and ADR secretary Helena Rawlins' involvement in the ongoing saga also constitutes a direct conflict of interest.

Thompson is no longer employed by the BFA after resigning as youth director last spring.