competition.

The Guyana Football Association have been suspended by soccer's world governing body FIFA and the South Americans will not be allowed to play in the World Cup unless they are reinstated soon.

That would leave Bermuda -- provided they win their two-leg tie against the British Virgin Islands in March -- facing a second-round qualifier against Antigua.

FIFA decided to suspend Guyana after an election for the presidency of their association.

Carlos Giron, press officer for soccer's regional governing body CONCACAF, said yesterday: "The group which lost the election claimed there had been some discrepancies and took the federation to court and the court upheld their complaints.

"If Guyana are not reinstated within the next few weeks, they will not be allowed to play in the World Cup qualifiers.'' Time is short for Guyana with the first leg of their World Cup tie against Antigua due to be played on the first weekend in March, at the same time as Bermuda visit the BVI.

Bermuda have recent experience of playing Antigua, as the Caribbean islanders came over for a two-match tour last January which suggested there is little to choose between the two sides.

A debut goal by PHC striker Kenny Mills gave Bermuda a 1-0 victory in the first match at Somerset, while Conrad Whyte's late strike gave Antigua victory by the same scoreline at Devonshire Rec.

Both games were tight and highly competitive against the team run by former Red Star Belgrade coach Zoran Vranes.

Meanwhile, the draw has been made for the second round of the Caribbean Football Union Under-15 Championship qualifiers.

And it looks a good one for Bermuda, presenting them with a tie against the US Virgin Islands or the Bahamas, provided they can first overcome the Cayman Islands.

Kenny Thompson's youngsters drew their first-round, first-leg match 2-2 in the Caymans and the second leg will be played at the National Stadium on Sunday, February 6.

If Bermuda win through both rounds, they will earn a place in the finals in July.