Former Bermuda Football Association technical director Clyde Best yesterday refused to be drawn into a verbal confrontation with current BFA head Neville Tyrrell over critical comments expressed by the latter in yesterday's Royal Gazette .

Tyrrell, caught in a battle for the BFA leadership ahead of Monday's AGM, suggested Best to have "broken gentleman's agreements'' by leaking information to the media, failed in his duties as technical director, and was primarily responsible for not recruiting the services of professionals Shaun Goater and Kyle Lightbourne for World Cup duty, leading to Bermuda's ouster.

However, Best took the `high road', noting that there was little he could say in response that would work to the benefit of football, something he is -- and has always been -- committed to.

"I'm not about to stoop to that level and offer any response,'' said Best from his hotel in Luton, England. "I'm no longer in the position. I'm out and that's it.

"I want to leave all of the politics and stuff alone and let Mark go through his thing...let the election run its course.'' Best is in England overseeing trials by a number of local youngsters, including Tokia Russell, Tommy Carter, Marlon Dill and Raymond Dill at the Kenilworth Road club.

Robert Calderon, who was national team coach during the World Cup campaign and another member of the technical staff who came under fire from Tyrrell yesterday and like Best, he was reluctant to get dragged into a war of words.

"The issues surrounding this election are not restricted to the World Cup,'' said Calderon. "I'm sure it is about the body of work which has been done over the past four years.

"Obviously I have my opinions about what was said. But I believe the affiliates are fully aware of what took place and they will make their decision on the night.

"In discussions with the affiliates, it was stated that we would not get into any confrontation with the association via the media. And to get involved now would not be in the best interests of football.''