Expectations of Bermuda earning a lump sum of cash during next week's Digicel Cup in Barbados have been dashed as it emerged yesterday that an article published in a leading local newspaper on the Caribbean Island proved to be misleading.

The Nation Newspaper reported that title sponsors Digicel had pumped $270,000 into the competition which was to be shared among all the participants in Group G consisting of Bermuda, St.Vincent & the Grenadines, Bahamas and host country Barbados.

However, when The Royal Gazette followed up on the article it was later discovered the newspaper had erred, and that the actual prize earnings will be shared among the top four teams that advance to the Concacaf Gold Cup in Trinidad and Tobago next January.

The eventual Digicel Cup winner will pocket $120,000, the runner's up $70,000, third place $50,000 while the fourth-placed team will earn $30,000 in prize earnings.

The Nation wrote: "The winning team in the Digicel Football Cup second round Group G, which begins at the National Stadium on Sunday, not only gains a place in the finals, but will be US $120,000 richer as well."

However, the telecommunications company moved swiftly to set the record straight and were contemplating having the Nation retract the story at press time last night.

In correspondence sent to all the football associations involved in next week's Group G matches, a Digicel spokesperson wrote: "I am aware that a newspaper story in today's Nation Newspaper has been the subject of discussion and speculation as it relates to prize money.

"In order to not destabilise the participating teams, as this story would convey and cause unrealistic expectations for the national players of their associations, I wish to urge that Digicel have the Nation retract the story, both in print and online and not wait for the correction which appears in the Monday newspaper as this would be too late to undo the damage.

"Please advise your association accordingly, any inconvenience is deeply regretted."

Bermuda, meanwhile, depart for the Caribbean today to intensify preparations for Sunday's opening second round clash against St.Vincent & the Grenadines at the National Stadium in St.Michael's.

The top two teams in Group G will automatically advance to the finals in Trinidad and Tobago next January, while the third-placed team will enter a triangular play-off with the third-placed teams from the other two groups for the sole remaining spot in the finals.

Bermuda will face Bahamas next Tuesday and Barbados next Thursday before returning home on November 24.

*Football try outs for all youth players interested in participating in February's inaugural Clyde Best International Youth Tournament at the National Sports Centre (NSC) will be held over the weekend.