Bermuda Football Association (BFA) are crying foul over the Island's elimination from the Digicel Cup in St.Vincent late last month.

In a press release forwarded to last night, BFA president Larry Mussenden accused both British Virgin Islands (BVI) and St.Vincent of turning a blind eye to allegations over player eligibility while the tournament was in progress.

Mussenden has also questioned why match commissioner Neville Ferguson never upheld Bermuda's request to investigate the matter nor mentioned it in his match reports that were later sent to FIFA and CONCACAF ? something the senior official had assured the local delegation he would do.

Mussenden revealed how three requests from the BFA for substantive tournament regulations relating to the Digicel Cup prior to Bermuda's departure to the Caribbean last month all fell on deaf ears, noting "this is not acceptable for a tournament of this importance."

Now, the chances of Bermuda being reinstated in the tournament are doubtful as Caribbean Football Union (CFU) general secretary Harold Taylor maintains that the BFA never officially lodged a protest accompanied by the appropriate fee.

Mussenden said: "The Bermuda Football Association is quite disturbed that this situation was allowed to take place during a sanctioned confederation tournament. It is not about the result, as we believe football matches should be decided on the field. However, we can't overlook regulations that govern our activities for if we do than every country would circumvent the rules to gain unfair advantages."

BVI defeated Bermuda 2-0 to advance along with St.Vincent to the second round of the competition due to commence this weekend.

Following the match, however, BFA officials questioned the eligibility of BVI striker Venton James, midfielder Avondale Williams and 'keeper Montgomery Butler who had all previously suited up for St.Vincent.

St.Vincent and Grenadines Football Federation (SVGFF) later confirmed James had represented the country in 1997.

It was learned yesterday that BFA officials received a final ruling on the Digicel Cup on Wednesday ? some eight days after making initial correspondence via e-mail.

"We are further concerned that the St.Vincent Football Association would have known players that represented them previously," Mussenden continued. "To turn a blind eye to such in the face of hosting an important tournament goes against the spirit of FAIR PLAY ? especially since BVI and St.Vincent played together on match day one."

"The Bermuda Football Association is also concerned that because nothing is written in the match commissioner's report that this matter may not be taken up," added Mussenden.

"Under the circumstances we believe for the sake of preserving the integrity of our international events, that this matter must be addressed.

"We are also concerned that we were not provided any substantive tournament regulations before our team departed for St.Vincent although our general secretary (David Sabir) requested such regulations from the tournament coordinator weeks before the tournament date."

Mussenden disclosed the only details BFA executives received from the CFU alluded to responsibilities of the host country (St.Vincent), responsibilities on the participating national associations and determining the tournament's eventual winner.

"The opening of the letter indicates that in the absence of tournament regulations, only the above advisory matters were sent," Mussenden added.

The next round of the competition is due to be played over two legs, beginning this weekend with BVI taking on Trinidad and St. Vincent playing Grenada.

CFU general secretary Taylor said yesterday: "I wish to take this opportunity to thank you (BFA) for raising the question of eligibility of players as you have highlighted an aspect of our regulations to which we must pay particular attention.

"I have discussed this matter with our president, president Jack Warner, this morning (yesterday) and he wishes to thank you for your approach.

"Let me conclude by advising you that although I have heard through media reports that this is a protest from Bermuda Football Association I have not been able to find at any of our offices an official protest from your association with the appropriate fee.

"Kindly advise me if a protest was made as we could do nothing if the procedures as per Gold Cup regulations was not observed."