Soccer must clean up its act -- or risk losing a hefty amount of sponsorship cash.

The warning was sounded yesterday by major sponsor, The Bank of Bermuda, in the wake of the drugs controversy.

And it came amid these further dramatic twists to the "Miami Seven'' saga: A Bermuda Football Association report to sporting body CONCACAF pointed a finger at Jamaicans, accusing them of planting drugs on the players; The BFA report contrasted with one by Technical Director Mr. Burkhard Ziese, who alerted CONCACAF to drug problems; and CONCACAF president Mr. Jack Warner warned Bermuda could still be prevented from competing in the Pan-Am Games, particularly if all seven Under-23 players are convicted. See Sports, Page 27.

The Bank of Bermuda's "clean up'' plea came from executive vice-president of administration Mr. Louis Mowbray who told The Royal Gazette : "I'm sure we are not going to throw good money after bad.'' He added: "Our feeling as a bank is that Bermuda needs a soccer programme but there has absolutely got to be a clean-up as the events of the last few days brings out.'' Mr. Mowbray said his bank had made a "six-figure'' cash donation to the BFA.

It paid the salary, accommodation and other expenses of Mr. Ziese, who is on a three-year contract.

Said Mr. Mowbray: "The purpose of making that donation was to bring a person of international calibre to upgrade coaching and upgrade the soccer programme for the youth of Bermuda.'' The proposed Commission of Inquiry into soccer -- following the arrest of seven Under-23 players in Miami for allegedly possessing and importing marijuana -- was warmly welcomed by Mr. Mowbray.

"We are very much in support of this inquiry in the hope this will strengthen the whole programme.'' He added: "There is no change in the need for support of soccer, but obviously we want to make sure our money is well spent.'' Mr. Mowbray pointed out the Bank of Bermuda had also pumped a lot of cash into the national soccer side's World Cup participation.

Other knights who gallop to the aid of Bermudian soccer saw no reason to rein in sponsorship cash.

Among them is John Barritt and Son, which sponsors the Coca-Cola First Division.

Soft drink sales manager Mr. Bruce Barritt said it was important to let justice in Miami takes its course with the arrested players.

But he added: "Personally, I don't see this matter directly affecting sponsorship.

"Hopefully lessons will be learned, and the administration of soccer, among other things, will be better in the future.'' Mr. Barritt said his company was entering its sixth year of soccer sponsorship.

Without releasing figures on sponsorship, he said: "It certainly plays a significant part in our marketing plans. But as for the details that's really something between the BFA and ourselves.'' He added: "We're doing our best to enhance the image of clubs and soccer.'' Sponsors split on soccer Mr. Barritt highlighted the difficulty of dealing with drugs in the game.

"It's very hard when you see young people out there who have potential and yet you know he or she is involved with drugs.'' By clamping down too harshly on the person, you risked excluding him or her from a positive activity.

But too lenient an approach could send the wrong signals.

"You're damned if you do, and damned if you don't,'' said Mr. Barritt.

He added: "I am concerned about drugs and personally I've never seen the sense in them.

"I think football can be positive influence. It comes down to teamwork and discipline.'' Another sponsor is Shell, which channels money into the junior soccer programme, which caters for eight to 10-year-olds.

Local Shell general manager Mr. Bob Stewart said sponsorship over the last three years had been "fairly significant''.

He said the recent soccer controversy would not affect cash support.

And Mr. Derek Emery, manager of Daihatsu, which sponsors Second Division soccer, took a similar line.

He did not see why Daihatsu should turn off the sponsorship tap.

Meanwhile, uncertainty continues over how the BFA is paying for legal fees mounting up in Miami as the seven Under-23 players prepare to fight the marijuana charges.

Nobody from the BFA could be reached for comment yesterday.

A Government spokesman said Sport Ministry funding was targeted at football promotion in the community.

"Legal difficulties experiences by individual players plainly do not fit that definition,'' he said.

Funding to the BFA for 1994-95 included $29,988, rental of premises; $41,000, Administrative Assistant Salary; and $17,000, Lanzera Youth Cup.

The total funding for 1994-95 came to $137,988; that for 1993-94, $104,958.

Sport Minister the Hon. Pamela Gordon also stressed money for BFA legal fees was not coming from Government or the BFA's corporate sponsors.

"I think the BFA have developed a source of funds from gate receipts at games and that's how they are able to raise the money,'' she said.

"I would assume that's the case. I believe they intend to recoup the money, maybe from the affiliate clubs.'' Turning to the proposed Commission of Inquiry, Ms Gordon said the full membership and terms of reference would be made known today.

She added she would be handing reports by the BFA and Mr. Ziese to the Commission.

"Hopefully it will assist them in their deliberations.'' She said she had read the reports and they made very interesting reading.

"The BFA one is an interim report, while the other relates to the perception of one individual.'' Ms Gordon was unable to say whether the inquiry would be held privately or in public.

"Personally, I don't see why it shouldn't be held in the open. I don't think there is anything to hide.'' She went on to call for the community to focus on the other players in the Under-23 squad, and the victory in Jamaica in the Pan-Am qualifying tournament.

"Nobody talks about the positive aspect, the 13 other players, and the reality of looking at rebuilding a team and taking on other players and working towards qualifying.

"These 13 players earned a place in the finals and were role models. They should be commended.''