By Marcus Day Bermuda's Under-23 soccer squad faces a two-year ban from playing overseas -- if any of the Miami seven are found guilty.

The savage blow was struck yesterday by the international sporting bodies of CONCACAF and FIFA.

The provisional ban is potentially the harshest penalty ever meted out on Bermuda soccer.

The Bermuda Football Association also faces a US$10,000 fine and would not receive the US$75,000 it has been promised after qualifying for the Pan-Am Games in Argentina next March.

It means the squad would be prevented from taking part in the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta.

As the sporting community reeled from the shock, Under-23 coach Mr. Mark Trott put on a brave face, declaring: "I refuse to just pack it in. As long as I have a group of players, they will have a coach.'' He added he still held out hope the ban would not come into effect.

"I believe in God and the power of prayer. I am convinced prayer works.'' The fate of six of the players -- Donnie Charles, Meshach Wade, Keishon Smith, Shawn Riley, Kevin Jennings, and Herbert Dillas -- could be decided on December 30 at Dade County Court.

Their lawyer Mr. H.T. Smith has been trying to get them placed in the hands of Immigration. Last night they were still at a pre-trial detention centre in Dade County.

Seventeen-year-old Tokia Russell, a juvenile, is already in Immigration hands.

The players face charges of importing and possessing marijuana after they were arrested at Miami International Airport last Friday following their success in the Pan-Am Games qualifying tournament in Jamaica.

Dade County prosecutor in the case is Mr. Tom Wessell, described as a felony screening unit attorney.

No one from the US Attorney's department has been available for comment.

Yesterday The Royal Gazette disclosed one of the players already faces a heroin charge in Bermuda.

He was due to appear in court on December 6 for allegedly possessing the drug, but the court date was postponed so he could play in Jamaica.

The Bermuda Football Association yesterday responded to the claim it had applied pressure for the hearing to be put off.

Said BFA general secretary Mr. David Sabir said: "We categorically refute the allegation that the BFA applied any such pressure to Government or any other body.

"In fact, the BFA were not even informed and were unaware that any of the players in the Under-23 team were facing any court proceedings whatsoever.

"Also the BFA was contacted by a Police official who was seeking confirmation as to whether or not the player in question was actually sent by the BFA. "It was only then that it was discovered that that player had altered his court date without any such information passed on to the BFA.

"The player sought to change his court date on Thursday December 1 and on Friday December 2 he was en route to Kingston, Jamaica.

"The BFA in turn were notified of the change of court date on Tuesday December 6.'' Mr. Sabir added: "We were actually alarmed to know a player was able to do this and represent his country, certainly in light of the fact that the national association had no knowledge of this.'' The Royal Gazette has received legal advice not to name the player.

Meanwhile the possible repercussions of the Miami affair became clearer yesterday.

If convicted, the seven Under-23 soccer players face being barred from the United States.

"If they plead guilty or are found guilty for importing, that is a narcotics violation and they would be excludable every time they apply for entry,'' said port director Mr. Pat Moore, from United States Immigration.

Waivers in the case of importation offences, however, could be given if certain criteria are met, he added.

They included the type of offence; the purpose of entering the US; the length of time since the last conviction; and evidence of rehabilitation.