"information session'' new calls were trumpeted for Bermuda Football Association officials to step down if they were aware of drug problems on the Under-23 team but refused to deal with them.

And BFA executive committee member and Devonshire Colts president Nelson Bascome said that a Commission of Inquiry set up to investigate the drugs crisis would lead to "sweeping'' changes in local soccer.

"I think you'll see resignations and I think you'll see persons changing the course of football in Bermuda,'' said Bascome.

"I think, honestly, this Board of Inquiry will also change the course at which Bermuda looks at drugs. It's more than just football, it's a community thing that's been implicated.'' BFA general secretary David Sabir, however, said it was unlikely any member of the BFA executive would step down immediately.

"Certainly no. At the end of the day that wouldn't solve anything,'' he said.

"It has to be ascertained where all of the responsibilities lie before you start calling for people's heads. And at the end of the day calling for heads doesn't really solve issues.'' Executive committee members of the BFA met with representatives of 16 affiliates at a hastily-called session at Young Men's Social Club on Monday night, summoned so that clubs could hear the BFA's version of events in the aftermath of soccer's growing drugs scandal.

Officials who were in attendance refused to comment on the 90-minute meeting, although Sabir said a clarion call was sounded for the "association to pull together'' as stunning new allegations surfaced at the weekend showing how people in the upper echelons of Bermuda football were acutely aware of drug problems on the Under-23 squad.

"Basically what we wanted to do was inform them officially of the situation at hand and deal with all issues,'' said Sabir.

Surprisingly, however, Bascome revealed that Technical Director Burkhard Ziese's memos were not discussed.

"No, not at all,'' he said.

For the second consecutive day BFA officials decided against issuing an official statement regarding the crisis.

Earlier yesterday Sabir said he was hoping to work on a press release, which was expected to raise a number of issues including continuing plans to compete in the Pan-Am Games.

"We have to,'' said Sabir, when asked if Bermuda would send a team to Argentina. "The players who are not charged with anything certainly should not suffer and in general the country as a whole should not suffer for the actions of a few.'' Sabir said representatives attending Monday's meeting were "obviously'' downcast.

"Everybody's bothered, everybody's concerned that our association is being put in this light,'' he said. "But the BFA has every intention, and always has had every intention, of taking this (drugs) matter very seriously. It's just unfortunate that a lot of these events have occured so rapidly.'' Devonshire Colts assistant coach David Furbert refused to divulge what was discussed during the meeting.

"I couldn't give you any of that information,'' he said. "I don't think the media is helping the situation. That's the end of the statement.'' Asked later if he was pleased with the outcome of the session, Furbert added: "That is the end of the statement.'' Bascome, the PLP Shadow Minister for Health and Social Services, said that at no time was he made aware of Ziese's damaging memos of November 28 and 30, written to BFA executives voicing alarm over a drug problem on the Under-23 team.

Bascome also refused to comment on reports that he actually approached the BFA about drug testing several weeks ago.

"I can't say,'' said Bascome. "Why? Because I think it shouldn't come out in the media. If it comes out in the Board of Inquiry then I think that's the perfect place for it.

"If someone had gone to the BFA with a proposal for anything and persons didn't act and then something happened, then wouldn't that indict people? For me to come out and say, yeah, I proposed that or other proposals that asked for other things to be done...it exempts the Board of Inquiry.'' Bascome, who saw members of the "Miami Seven'' from December 12 to 18 said "the guys were in good spirits.'' BFA officials were last night still awaiting word on when the players, released on bail on Monday, would be coming home. "I've heard they could be back as early as Friday but that cannot be substantiated,'' said Sabir.

Sabir said that three of the players -- Tokia Russell (PHC), Donnie Charles (Boulevard) and Shawn Riley (Somerset) "more than likely would not'' be permitted to play for their teams in Dudley Eve matches on Monday.

Vasco president Eddie Correia, who didn't attend Monday's meeting, remained unconvinced yesterday that BFA officials were dealing properly with the crisis.

"If they knew about the drugs problem and didn't do anything about it, they should step down without a doubt,'' Correia said. "I think the consequences you're dealing with here...you're dealing not with just football here.

"While I think we're proud of what Bermuda did in terms of what happened on the field, winning is not everything.

"There are a lot of problems and I think the situation with drugs is one of them, but it's not the only one,'' he added. "I think this is just one of the things that has come out in the forefront.'' John Rebello, Vasco's coach and treasurer, said that if BFA officials failed to act on the drug issue in Jamaica "then I think certain members should step down. Then we can start with a clean slate.'' David Kneisler, president of BAA, agreed.

"If we knew about it, then it was wrong to allow it to happen,'' he said.

"And therefore it's only correct that action be taken. I think it's important that we have people who do not condone these sorts of actions. The lack of decision-making at the time created that situation. We need strong people up there.

"When I know exactly what happened I can be more vocal,'' he added. "But I was angry when I first found out on that Friday that we were stopped at the airport. I felt betrayed, it was like I was raped because I put so much time and effort into building this sport.'' Nelson Bascome.