the Pan-Am Games finals last night just a day after they had been slapped with a provisional two-year ban.

The team have been given the green light to compete in Argentina next March, but most likely without the Miami seven who remain in a Florida jail facing drugs charges.

Soccer's world governing body, FIFA, yesterday advised CONCACAF that Bermuda's place in the Pan-Am finals should be confirmed. But the players who stand accused of attempting to smuggle marijuana out of Jamaica should not be allowed to take part in the tournament.

However, said the head of FIFA's legal department Mr. Michael Zen-Ruffinen, "a final decision will only be possible once the culpability of the players has been proven''.

FIFA's latest recommendations were yesterday accepted by CONCACAF, the governing body for soccer in the Caribbean, Central and North America, and relayed to Bermuda Football Association.

Although not confirmed, it's understood the BFA will now also be allowed to keep the $75,000 awarded for their victories over Canada and Jamaica in last week's Pan-Am qualifying matches in Kingston.

On Thursday, CONCACAF president Mr. Jack Warner, following consultations with FIFA's general secretary Mr. Sepp Blatter, made a provisional ruling that Bermuda would have to forfeit the $75,000 and would be thrown out of all Pan-Am Games and Olympic competition for the next two years. He said they would also be fined $10,000.

But it's understood FIFA's lawyers took another look at the matter yesterday and decided CONCACAF had erred in their final decision.

A telefax sent from FIFA's legal office in Switzerland to Mr. Warner and copied to The Royal Gazette read: "A clear distinction has to be made between the sporting aspects and criminal aspects in this case.'' Full report -- see Sports, Page 13