Bermuda's Under-23 players arrested in Miami could face up to five years in prison -- if convicted of their drugs charges.

The maximum penalty was spelled out yesterday by chief of narcotics of the Dade County Attorney's Office Mr. David Weinstein.

The players face charges of possessing and importing cannabis.

Said Mr. Weinstein: "These are third degree felonies and can carry up to five years in a state penitentiary.'' Mr. Weinstein said the State Attorney's Office was still considering whether it would agree to have the players' cases heard before a single judge.

"We haven't made a final decision. I suggest you ring back next week,'' he told The Royal Gazette .

At last week's arraignment in Dade County the six adult players -- Shawn Riley, Herbert Dillas, Donnie Charles, Keishon Smith, Kevin Jennings, and Meshach Wade - appeared before five different judges.

Riley, Dillas, Charles, Smith, and Jennings were given February trial dates.

Mr. Weinstein said Wade's charges were dropped because of a "procedural miscommunication'', but they were now being refiled.

The seventh player, Tokia Russell, is scheduled to reappear before a juvenile court later this month.

The players' lawyer Mr. H.T. Smith hopes his clients who have to stand trial will do so before a single judge.

Yesterday Mr. Smith said he was not aware charges were being refiled against Wade, who captained Bermuda's national team in the last World Cup qualifying campaign.

But he added: "Any time no action is taken on charges the state has 180 days to refile the charges from the date a person was arrested.

"It does not surprise me at all to hear the charges will be refiled. It is something we will address when we are told they have been refiled.'' Mr. Smith said his clients were still in Miami, where they have been staying in a hotel.

He revealed they had been doing some soccer training.

But he did not know whether they were training among themselves, or with the help of an official.

Speculation has continued to mount over who is picking up the tab for the players' extended stay in Miami following their arrest on December 9 after Bermuda's success in the Pan-Am Games qualifying tournament in Jamaica.

The Bermuda Football Association initially forked out some $27,000 to cover bail costs for the adult players, and a legal retainer for Mr. Smith.

Yesterday BFA general secretary Mr. David Sabir said the association was discussing the problem of funding.

"We are still in the process of discussing. Nothing definitive has been decided.'' Mr. Sabir went on to say he was mystified by apparent moves to set up a soccer players' union in Bermuda.

Posters, which contain an attack on the BFA, have been distributed stating "one of the most decorated players in Bermuda'' was in the process of forming such a union.

They state: "Are you tired of professional rules in an amateur game, no representation when being disciplined by your club or the BFA, unrealistic suspensions and money being made off your God-given talent. Well soon you will no longer have to suffer.'' Said Mr. Sabir: "I have no idea who is behind the posters. The first I heard about them was when I read The Royal Gazette .''