Where have all Bermuda's football fans gone?

That's what president of Bermuda Football Association (BFA) Larry Mussenden would like to know . . . and come tonight and Friday night he hopes to get an answer at the National Sports Centre.

That's where the week-long Under-17 International Youth Tournament is currently being played but, according to the BFA head, one would never know it since the stadium was practically empty for the first two nights of the competition.

"While it has been a very exciting tournament with a high level of football, fans have been lacking in the stands and I am sorely disappointed by the low support from the Bermudian football family and from local club members," he said yesterday.

He noted that part of the BFA's mandate was to youth development and to provide international competition. However, the public's poor response to this four-team tournament left him questioning if this is what they really wanted.

"I know there are thousands of Bermudian football lovers as well as a number of fans living here from the three visiting teams - Canada, Barbados and Jamaica - but I have not seen that reflected at the stadium so far. They have failed to show up for this tournament.

"I am disappointed for our team, for the football association and executive who worked very hard to put this tournament on and I am also personally disappointed when I know we have people out there who love football and who have not made any effort to come to this tournament at least one evening.

"It does raise the question whether Bermudians wish to have any international football. I think they do but we need to have a demonstration of that so I'm appealing to all fans to come out tomorrow night (tonight) and Friday night (final)."

Mussenden observed that just a few weeks ago Bermuda and the rest of the world were "going crazy watching World Cup football" but locals do not realise that youth tournaments are the precursors to that stellar event.

"What they should reflect upon - if you look at the young ages of the players at the World Cup - is that these players aren't that far away from them in age and that these types of tournaments are building blocks towards the World Cup.

"Becoming a world class player starts with these age-group competitions and players need to be supported at this stage for them to be successful later. There's nothing worse than playing in an empty stadium," he said.

Mussenden also lamented the fact that some of those who have turned up for matches had hurled insults and obscenities at Bermudian players rather than being supportive and positive in their comments.

"That kind of behaviour is certainly not on and I ask the spectators to refrain from shouting such negative things at our players but instead give encouragement because that's what our players need when they are on the field."

Bermuda and Jamaica meet in a crucial clash tonight to determine which team will face Canada in Friday's final.

Thompson's teens back

on track - see Page 35.