to Bermuda Football Association executives today.

But with BFA officials refusing to comment, it remains uncertain whether or not the players arrested for drugs in Miami last December will come into the reckoning.

The players were banned for life from international soccer after their arrest and following their "no contest'' plea in a Miami court last week, after which they returned to Bermuda, there has been no word on whether that ban might be lifted.

BFA officials avoided questions on the make-up of the squad which must be presented to the Bermuda Olympic Association by tomorrow evening.

The Royal Gazette was repeatedly informed by a clerk at the BFA's office yesterday that secretary general David Sabir would return calls when he became available. But the calls were never returned.

The Under-23 squad, under coach Mark Trott, is expected to have its final workout at National Stadium early this evening.

Meanwhile, a soccer development of a different nature materialised this week with the first steps taken towards formation of a Coaches Association. Richard Knight, a spokesman for the group, said that about 15 people attended Monday's meeting at Police Recreation Club where "a lot of positive discussion'' took place during the three-hour gathering.

A draft of a proposed constitution was circulated for members to peruse and make changes to and/or recommendations in time for a second meeting planned for next Monday. At that meeting, according to Knight, "hopefully the constitution will be accepted and adopted and election of officers can take place.'' The group plans to notify the BFA of their intentions in writing and hopes the governing body will give them recognition.

"We will be asking the BFA for their blessing, but we want to make it clear that we do not intend to do anything to disrupt the BFA. We just want to pool all of the knowledge of the coaches so that it can help to benefit soccer overall here in the Island,'' said Knight.

The intention is to have all holders of a BFA coaching licence to be eligible for membership while those without a licence will be accepted as associate members. "But how we propose to actually do it is something that has to be determined,'' added Knight.

Many of those who attended the meeting were with the group which last month threw their support behind embattled former Director of Coaching Burkhard Ziese, who was recently fired.

They objected to the "public misrepresentation'' of Ziese and copied their letter to the BFA and to the Sports Minister.

In the letter they claimed: "Most of the criticisms of Mr. Ziese are personal ones, rather than professional ones, made by those who don't know him, who have not worked closely beside or under him.'' Yesterday Knight noted that nobody from the earlier group had given evidence to Sir John Sharpe's Board of Inquiry.