Devonshire Colts backed down at the 11th hour after threatening to ignore Bermuda Football Association's request to omit three members of the Under-23 national squad from last night's Friendship Trophy match against Dandy Town.

The BFA had asked all local clubs to release their Under-23 squad players from domestic competition after Sunday's matches, so they would avoid injuries prior to next week's Pan Am Games qualifying round tie against Canada in Jamaica. The squad leaves for the Caribbean on Saturday.

But while eventually bowing to that request, Colts made it clear last night they were playing "under protest'' and would be taking the matter further.

Club officials said they intended to make a statement today.

Before last night's kick-off at Somerset, Colts vice-president Wendell Eve confirmed that the club were playing under protest, but were not using the three players chosen to tour in order that their international careers would not be jeopardised.

Originally Colts had five players among the full Under-23 training squad, but when the touring party was chosen on Monday just Keishon Wade, Marvin Lewis and Quincy Aberdeen were included. Jahmah Samuels had ruled himself out because of work commitments while Makonnen Hollis was overlooked.

While all clubs were asked to release their players, Colts appealed because of a long list of injuries. They also believed that FIFA regulations governing the release of players for national squad duty declared that players must be made available only five days before a qualifying match for an international competition.

The dispute escalated yesterday when Colts were reportedly told by their players that BFA Technical Director Burkhard Ziese had advised them that if any player disobeyed and played last night they would be left out of the touring party.

Colts officials expressed their anger over this ultimatum, calling it "intimidation and blackmail''.

BFA president Richard Thompson said last night no threat was intended and urged all clubs to toe the line and support the national programme.

"This was no threat and it's unfortunate that Devonshire Colts feel this way.

There is a programme that is underway and there are certain guidelines that must be followed and be adhered to,'' said Thompson.

Colts met yesterday to discuss the matter and at the end of the day left it to each individual player involved to make their own decision.

Aberdeen, who the BFA flew in from school on the weekend, had decided to abide by the BFA's ruling but Smith and Hollis reportedly remained uncertain up until last night.

During the day one club source said that they were "disgusted'' with the BFA for having confused the young players.

"The BFA ruined things from the start by telling the players they were unavailable to play for their clubs when the right way was for the association to let the club know,'' said the source.

He also felt that the BFA were wrong not to entertain their appeal to have last night's game postponed, having earlier ruled in favour of BAA when they made a similar request last month.

But Thompson was equally irritated by the turn of events leading up to the controversy, calling Colts' complaints "petty''.

"FIFA's regulations they referred to primarily concern players who are not amateurs. All we are trying to do is better prepare out teams for international competition. The clubs would do well to support us in this endeavour and stop giving lip service,'' said Thompson.

"We have a cluttered domestic programme. Each time we participate internationally you see this type of situation we have today... and it will happen again.

"I am in the process of appointing a committee with a view to have the whole spectre of our soccer restructured and until we do there will be disputes like this raising their ugly head.'' It has been learned that Marvin Lewis will today face the BFA's executive committee over a disciplinary matter before he is given the green light to travel on Saturday.