Bermuda Broadcasting Company are still hopeful that a television debate between current Bermuda Football Association president Neville Tyrrell and challenger Mark Trott will take place.

While Tyrrell has agreed to appear on a live show before next Monday's BFA annual general meeting, Trott has declined the TV station's invitation.

However, BBC's chief executive officer Rick Richardson said yesterday that if Trott was unhappy over the selection of the moderators, changes to the programme format could be made.

A former member of the BFA's coaching committee, Richardson was at pains to point out that he had never intended to appear on the show with sportscaster Mike Sharpe.

"Mr. Trott and Mr. Tyrrell could choose their moderators if they wanted to.

We just want to facilitate an open forum for the public, for those coaches, for those players who would want to hear exactly what they have in mind,'' said Richardson.

"I have no intention of being involved, but I believe in the spirit of democracy and an open administration. If either one of them want to demonstrate what they are going to be doing in this era with a new level of communication then nobody should have a problem with it.'' He added: "I had no intention of doing that debate this week because I have some major meetings on copyright and board meetings, but I really believe that in the interests of football people should be open.

"In the interests of football, both candidates should have no problem in appearing before the public and speaking about their vision and things of that nature.'' Richardson was clearly agitated that a story in yestreday's Royal Gazette questioned his credibility, citing the possibility that since he was a member of the coaching committee that made the decision to "unload'' technical director Clyde Best, he might not be impartial.

According to Richardson, he had resigned from the committee long before the decision was taken not to renew Best's contract. He said he strongly supported the debate because it would provide an "open and honest forum.'' "I believe we will still put the offer there for an open programme,'' he commented.

As to why Tyrrell took one position and Trott the other, Richardson had his personal view.

"I believe in approaching Tyrrell, he was reluctant to say no because it would appear, in our opinion, as if he didn't want to face the music. So with that in mind I think he said yes.

"But I want to point out that Mark Trott initially said that he couldn't do it because of another commitment. Mike Sharpe then changed the date to suit Mark Trott so I was surprised to read the article in The Royal Gazette that alluded to the fact that perhaps he didn't want to appear at a public forum because Rick Richardson would be moderating it.

"I want to make it very clear that I've got some major issues going on this week at the company but I still support the concept of an open forum.''