Bermuda have pulled out of the forthcoming Copa Caribe football tournament after organisers switched the date at the 11th hour.

It is the third time the Caribbean Football Union has changed the details of the competition.

Originally scheduled for Antigua in April, it was then moved to the middle of March. Last week the Bermuda Football Association was told it would now take place between February 28 and March 4.

Though not happy about the original alterations, the BFA had agreed to take part, despite the fact the Island currently has no national coach and the team has not played since the end of the World Cup qualifying campaign last year.

However, the third change was the final straw and the association announced yesterday it was pulling out.

BFA general secretary David Sabir said: "In making the decision to withdraw, the Bermuda FA expresses its disappointment in the inability of the region's organising body, the Caribbean Football Union, and member countries to abide by the published tournament dates, especially when hosting such competitions.

"Further to making this decision the Bermuda FA intends to express its concerns to the region's governing body, CONCACAF, with the hopes that a policy can be put in place to reduce situations like this from frequently occurring in the future.'' Sabir said the BFA had been informed that the Antiguan hosts had been forced to hand over the planned venue to the West Indian Cricket Board.

An agreement between the soccer and cricket bodies on the Island stipulated that the ground had to be given over at least a month before the start of international cricket matches.

Despite their unhappiness with the situation, Sabir said the BFA was determined to look to the positive.

"Our withdrawal gives us the chance to focus on other opportunities with MLS and `A' League teams of the US Soccer Federation,'' he said.

"Additionally, we are investigating the possibilities of playing warm-up matches with one of the remaining six teams participating in the CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying Tournament.

"Discussions thus far have been very encouraging and as such we hope to secure a number of very competitive matches here in Bermuda and overseas.'' Sabir said pulling out also enabled the BFA to "re-emphasise the aim of our international plan ..to establish a programme of sustained activity toward qualifying for the region's most important competitions in two to four years' time.'' "In this regard,'' he said. "We will remain dedicated to building a senior team with players who are committed to representing Bermuda at the highest level.

"We are also determined to build a team that all of Bermuda will be proud to support, recognising that it will take a lot of hard work and patience to accomplish.'' David Sabir: looking on the bright side.