Cup qualifying, the Bermuda Football Association may be running the risk of alienating affiliates and employers.

The BFA is understood to be contemplating housing the national team in a training camp from October 5 through December 6, the date of Bermuda's final second-round match against Canada, and wants the players to be free from domestic soccer and work commitments.

Such developments could draw the ire of local clubs who will not have the services of their top players for the first two months of the season, while on the financial side employers may be hard-pressed to justify 10 weeks' paid leave.

BFA president Charlie Marshall would confirm nor deny the association's plans, which could push the World Cup budget well over the estimated $209,000.

"Discussions are taking place with various parties regarding Bermuda's preparation for the World Cup and we will be having meetings with the affiliates to appraise them first before we can say anything,'' said Marshall.

"We have already met with a few of the coaches who are directly involved with the players, but our discussions with various other parties are ongoing and we are just not completed. With nothing being finalised yet, we cannot make anything public.'' It is believed that the players themselves are behind the move to approach employers for compensation for time away from work, while the association wishes that they not play for their domestic clubs during the 10 weeks, for fear of injury.

If the camp proposal goes through it is understood that the cost to the BFA will be in excess of $100,000; and that is after the national squad's numbers are cut from the existing 32.

The clubs heaviest hit by a loss of internationals for the first two months would be North Village, Dandy Town and league and FA Cup champions PHC.

However, that appears to be the more comfortable compromise that can be reached as opposed to compensation from the employers in these difficult economic times.

Elsewhere in BFA news, it has been learned that Mark Trott has been sacked as chairman of the Coaching Committee and surprisingly replaced by former president Gerard Bean, who is now a director.

Bean has been in the position for some time now, but the changing of the guard was kept under wraps. There appears, however, to be no rift between Trott and the BFA as he remains manager of the national team.

The Charity Cup, the traditional season-opener, will be held on September 26 but the BFA is still searching for a venue.

It was originally planned that league and FA Cup champions PHC would face Dudley Eve Trophy winners Boulevard at Somerset Cricket Club, but that venue is booked for cricket that weekend.

With the uncertainty over the domestic programme due to Bermuda World Cup involvement, the BFA will not be a releasing a fixtures booklet this season.