The war of words between Bermuda Football Association and the Ministry of Sport over use of the National Sports Centre continued last night with BFA president Larry Mussenden claiming he only learned that fees for national team training had been waived when he read it in The Royal Gazette.

The row between football's governing body and Government came to head last week during Shaun Goater's Grassroots Festival when an official BFA Youth Select team was withdrawn from Wednesday's match against a visiting Manchester City Youth Academy side at the eleventh hour.

The BFA claimed they had been saddled with fees of over $40,000 for training at the NSC and had been banned from using that facility when the bill remained unpaid.

But Sports Minister Randy Horton said on Thursday that no such ban had been enforced, training fees had been waived and the BFA only owed money for revenue-earning events which had been staged at the Sports Centre.

Last night, however, Mussenden said he was thankful for but bewildered by the Minister's statement.

“Bermuda Football Association wishes to state that at no time ever was it informed that the fees for national team training at the NSC that had been incurred previously were waived by the Ministry of Community Affairs and Sport,” said the BFA chief.

“However, we are grateful to have read in The Royal Gazette the Minister's statement that such fees are hereby waived. We now await confirmation in writing of the same.

“When the BFA was informed of the new National Sports Centre Training Policy, we informed the Minister in writing that we were unable to accept the policy on the basis that it had the effect of undermining all of our national team training and academies. Further, we consulted all our affiliates who have given their unanimous support for our position.

“The BFA have spent some considerable time developing National Youth Academies and national teams. We do this so that our players can excel and compete at a high level internationally. Consequently, we require the best facilities for our players to be able to train effectively.

“The National Sports Centre policy has the effect of only providing two to four weeks of training without charge prior to an international match. Such a policy does not answer the question of where national teams of the national sport of Bermuda should train for the majority of their preparation prior to international matches.

“The policy has the potential to lead to the mass destruction of national football and sport in Bermuda. The BFA believe that such training should be based at the National Sports Centre. We invite the Minister to reconsider the policy and adopt one that supports continual development of national football in the country.”

Mussenden went on to say that the BFA were eager to provide international matches in Bermuda but when such events took place, the governing body had to cover all on-Island expenses.

“That includes accommodation, transportation, meals, laundry, and other related expenses,” pointed out Mussenden.

“In some cases, the BFA has to pay for or contribute to the visiting team's airline travel expenses. We also have to pay a huge security bill for the NSC as they are unable to provide a secure stadium.

“We believe that for international matches the BFA should be able to collect the gate and use all those funds towards the overall costs of the visiting team.”

Mussenden continued: “The BFA is committed to restarting its National Youth Academies and its national team training as required. We are equally committed to providing high level development and the chance for our footballers to compete and win in international matches.

“This has started recently with our Under-17 team advancing out of the first round to play against Cuba. It was a moment of national pride to see our Under-17 team celebrate with the Bermuda flag wrapped around them. Most importantly, their training comprised of many more than four training sessions at the NSC before the match.

“The Ministry cannot expect to cover the costs of operating the NSC out of the funds of national sports associations. We refer to the National Sports Centre Trustees Act 1988 section 9 (1) whereby it states that ‘The Trustees may receive donations, raise funds by such lawful means as they see fit to adopt and in addition they may fix and collect fees and charges for the use of the Centre and its facilities, for the fire of equipment or otherwise of the Centre'.

“We submit that the Trustees have failed sport in that they have probably received no donations, nor asked for any, and they have not sought to raise any funds by lawful means. They have only sought to charge the national associations.

“The BFA, on behalf of the people, request that we have access to the people's NSC. Specifically, we will write to the Ministry for permission to restart our National Youth Academies at the NSC without charge so that nearly 100 of the best footballers in the country can start to train again.

“Additionally, we will write to meet with the Minister so that we can begin effective dialogue to develop the best policy to support national football training in Bermuda. We trust and hope that we can work together to that end. It is only with the proper policy in place that we can continue our commitment and participation towards international football.”