Will he stay or will he go? Placed in the hands of a special committee, the fate of Bermuda Football Association president Neville Tyrrell could be decided by the end of the week.

The Royal Gazette has learned that the special committee set up to arbitrate the recent dispute regarding the election of Tyrrell for a second term, and the questions raised regarding the ambiguous nature of the BFA's constitution, could return their findings and offer resolution as soon as tomorrow.

Tyrrell revealed as much yesterday, noting how the process had matured to the verge of the special committee making presentation to the association and its affiliates.

"I was advised by the chairman of the special committee, Mr. Austin Woods, that following the return of the general secretary to the Island on Monday of this week, that he needed to confirm some additional information with him,'' explained Tyrrell.

"He didn't share with me what that information was, but he felt he could get it from the general secretary, and shortly after that he would be in a position to provide a final resolution of the committee.

"We're almost at conclusion from the way I understand it.'' Tyrrell's victory over challenger Mark Trott during the annual general meeting back on July 24 sparked a storm of controversy, with affiliates split as to whether the election process was legitimate, with the major bone of contention being whether honorary vice-president Eugene Blakeney should have been allowed to preside.

The pot was stirred as Blakeney was called on to cast the deciding vote after Tyrrell and Trott stood locked at 12-12 following submissions by the affiliates, along with BFA treasurer Delroy O'Brien and first vice-president Aldwyn Savery.

It was consequently decided during a special meeting September 21, that the matter be sent to arbitration, with a group of four affiliates and two honorary vice-presidents developing terms of reference for presentation to the special committee containing five honorary vice-presidents.

Now it would appear that the controversy that has placed a cloud over Tyrrell's current tenure -- and indeed the administration of local soccer -- is closer to clearing.

Options for the special committee would appear to be two-fold, in that they can either recommend the previous election be declared null and void, or simply allow Tyrrell to continue in the post. It is also assumed that suggestions will be made that the section of the constitution in question be clarified from its current unclear state.

While it had been originally envisaged that the process would take a month, Tyrrell was in no mood to quarrel over the committee going beyond the set period.

"Recognising that we have gone outside of the time frame that was set by the council, the council were advised that this was the case,'' said Tyrrell.

"Mr. Woods has promised to come back as quickly as possible. I don't want to put any pressure on him, but I would imagine, probably very close to the end of the week we should have something.'' Neville Tyrrell: expecting decision