yesterday for the parents of the seven soccer players.

The mother of 17-year-old Tokia Russell summed up the feelings. "Thank you Jesus!'' she exclaimed to a Royal Gazette reporter, adding: "Make sure you put that in.'' Mrs. Jackie Russell spoke moments after her son walked free from juvenile court after receiving a "judicial warning.'' With relief written all over her face, Mrs. Russell applauded those who had stood by the seven players and their relatives.

Acting as a group spokesperson, she said: "We are truly grateful to the Bermuda public for their support in believing in our sons.'' Mrs. Russell gave some idea of the torment the relatives had been through since the December 9 arrests. She said she had been in Miami 48 days, giving support to her son.

"It has been a trying 48 days for me.'' But Mrs. Russell seemed anxious not to dwell on that. Her main message was to Bermuda. "We want to let those who supported us know how much we appreciate them and their support. We thank them from the bottom of our hearts, and I speak for all the families.'' That said, she ran off to join her son who was being embraced and patted on the back by relatives.

Earlier, there had been similar scenes at Dade County's criminal court after the hearing involving Russell's six Under-23 team-mates, Meshach Wade, Kevin Jennings, Donnie Charles, Shawn Riley, Herbert Dillas and Keishon Smith.

The six left the courtroom and were embraced by relatives in the corridor outside.

At that stage, however, there was no display of goodwill to the Press.

Repeated media attempts for a comment were rebuffed.

And a Reuter cameraman working for The Royal Gazette was jostled as he tried to snap shots of the players and relatives descending to the ground floor of the Richard Gerstein Justice building, which houses the courts.

Dillas shrugged his shoulders when asked for a reaction.

"We're not saying anything,'' said one relative.

Another said quietly: "Of course it is a relief. Anything is a relief after what has happened, but I don't want to say anything.'' Others cried out: "Speak to our lawyers.'' The players' lawyer Mr. H.T. Smith was, perhaps surprisingly, low-key in his response to the day's events. Had the players got off lightly, he was asked.

"Man,'' he replied, before adding: "What was it the judge said? You've had a big break!'' After the briefest of statements, Mr. Smith rushed off across the car park outside the juvenile court. "I'm trying to cooperate, but I've got to hurry.'' Mr. Smith is a busy man.