report of the board of inquiry into drugs in soccer a ringing endorsement, and said that cleaning up the troubled sport is now his number one priority.

Mr. Thompson issued a four-page statement to the media yesterday at the BFA office on Cedar Avenue, the first time soccer's governing body has publicly reacted to the board's report since it was tabled in the House of Assembly on May 12.

"When I was elected president I knew that the sport had some problems, but now the biggest challenge, obviously, is to clean up football,'' Thompson told reporters during the 55-minute session.

The BFA president appeared relaxed and confident, fielding a barrage of questions along with general secretary Mr. David Sabir.

He summoned the public to help the sport's leaders stamp out the drug scourge.

"It is time the community did something about it (and) the BFA wants to play its part,'' said Mr. Thompson in a prepared statement. "We accept the comments made by the board in their report and we accept the recommendations the board makes. But as the report also points out, we cannot work alone. We urge the community to help us, especially the football community.'' Mr. Thompson later acknowledged that his biggest task will now be to get club affiliates to agree with the wide range of recommendations made by the five-member board which was headed by former Premier the Hon. Sir John Sharpe and included Mr. Eugene Blakeney, Mr. Louis Mowbray, Mr. Kenneth Richardson and Mr. Calvin Symonds.

Mr. Thompson wholeheartedly agreed with board suggestions that players representing Bermuda be tested for the use of marijuana and other drugs, but noted that the BFA is "at the mercy of the clubs who elect us to office''.

Although a meeting is being planned with club executives, BFA officials and members of the board of inquiry for June 26, Mr. Thompson stopped short of saying whether it would be open to the public or media.

Mr. Thompson said that members of the BFA executive were prepared to be drug tested, one of the key recommendations made by the Sharpe Inquiry.

While steadfastly refusing to accept any blame for how the BFA dealt with the aftermath of arrests last December -- "I am satisfied we discharged our obligations properly'' -- Mr. Thompson agreed that background tests should now be conducted on national team players. He also said that job descriptions will be drawn up so that players and officials know exactly what their roles are during overseas tours.

BFA promises to clean up soccer Of the report's most controversial recommendations is that clubs consider experimentally banning the sale of alcoholic beverages during matches.

Said Mr. Thompson: "It will certainly affect the clubs and would be a difficult problem for them since much of their revenue is derived from the sale of alcohol.

"But we're willing to look into anything that will help the sport and better the sport. Perhaps other things can be done before moving to such a drastic position, like additional security at the club grounds.'' The BFA, Mr. Thompson said, would endorse a "Sportsmen Say No To Drugs'' campaign and that efforts will be made to curtail the misuse of drugs of football grounds.

The 47-year-old soccer executive said he was uncertain whether some of the recommendations would be implemented before the start of the new season.

"As far as those recommendations that the BFA can effect, as far as prior to the season, well, I'm not sure,'' he said. "These things will take time and also we will have to get the support of the clubs.

"Obviously, in my position I would have to make it such that it is important.

It's for the good of football and the good of the community.'' The BFA also confirmed for the first time that they paid almost $21,000 in legal and bond fees on behalf of the arrested players.

Mr. Sabir said that the $75,000 the BFA was given by CONCACAF for qualifying for the Pan-Am Games went exclusively toward overseas trips to Germany, Orlando, Jamaica and Argentina and players' salaries.