FAIR PLAY has been the message sent out by FIFA at every opportunity in the last few years.

Bermuda Football Association have endorsed that message wholeheartedly.

But one would think Fair Play would indicate the spirit of the game should be upheld not only on the field, but also off it.

It would appear that little spirit was shown by the BFA as they decided to schedule BAA away from home on the opening day of the season this Sunday – the same day the Greens will officially open their $1 million-plus artificial pitch.

The governing body and their scheduling committee can make all the excuses they want, but at the very best it smacks of thoughtlessness and at worst, vindictiveness.

The latter has already been cited by some.

BAA, after all, are playing hosts to the new breakaway Corona League, formed by disgruntled players and officials who heavily criticised the BFA's decision to scrap the Commercial League.

The BFA and Corona have both gone on record as saying they want to work in harmony, and it would make little sense if they didn't.

So any accusations that the Greens have become victims of BFA payback might be ignored.

Yet there seems to be no rhyme nor reason behind the decision to send BAA out to the far end of the Island when they should be enjoying the benefits of their new plush pitch before any other club.

Would this have happened had, say North Village, Devonshire Cougars, Dandy Town or if any other of the 'big' clubs were involved? The deep suspicion is that it would not. In fact, there would have been one almighty outcry.

If the case involving BAA was purely a scheduling oversight, there's absolutely no reason why it couldn't have been changed.

A simple solution would have been to switch the two league fixtures between BAA and St. George's, allowing this Sunday's game to be played in town and the return game at Wellington Oval. What difference would it make?

Apparently Colts wouldn't agree to such a switch. And if that was the case, then they certainly weren't adhering to the Fair Play maxim.

One would have thought it would have been considered a privilege to help baptise the Island's newest facility.

And whether they agreed or not, they could have been overruled by the BFA.

To their credit, BAA haven't made a big fuss over the matter.

But like many others, they'll be wondering what the BFA were thinking. It was an issue that so easily could have been resolved.

Instead the new season kicks off on a slightly sour note.

The Woodlands Road club are doing the Association a huge favour by providing a first-class floodlit facility that will be available for play in the winter months when other pitches have been turned into a quagmire.

And as an offshoot, their old floodlights have been transferred over to Bernard Park – in a deal that has not been disclosed – which will give the governing body yet another option as to where stage night games.

BAA have upgraded the pitch at their own cost. Wouldn't it be nice if other clubs were able to follow suit? Considering the facilities available to almost all of Bermuda's teams, this was a huge step forward.

So much so that Bermuda Hogges have considered making it their home ground. If that were the case the hugely under-used National Sports Centre would become even more of a white elephant.

Even today, it's not too late for the governing body to change their mind. It would be a gesture seen to be in line with the spirit of Fair Play.

And while on the subject of new facilities . . . didn't PHC promise a new clubhouse and pitch when they sold land for a hefty price in order that Esso could build a gas station next door.

That was some 10 years ago.

Zebras' first team haven't played a home game since. What happened there?

Despite questions asked by this newspaper, there's never been a reasonable answer.

Again this season the black and white stripes will be forced to play all of their games somewhere else.

- ADRIAN ROBSON