clear that at best, Bermuda Football Association executives have repeatedly lied, at worst they have conspired to contribute to the drugs scourge that ravages this Island.

On the evidence provided in letters written by BFA Technical Director Mr.

Burkhard Ziese to Association officers and CONCACAF, the governing body for soccer in this part of the world, it is apparent that the BFA leaders knew full well of the drugs problems within the Under-23 Squad long before seven players were arrested at Miami Airport.

Despite repeated urgings from Mr. Ziese, the BFA chose to do nothing about drugs except some mild warnings, largely unenforced. In effect, the BFA gave its blessing to the rampant drug abuse that has long been suspected among players in the game.

Today the entire BFA executive committee, along with the general secretary, has no option but to resign. The members should make the report to the Minister and the associated bodies and stand down immediately to save the members from further embarrassment and, more importantly, to save the Island's national sport which under current BFA direction is rapidly tumbling to destruction.

The BFA has long had a reputation for incompetence. But its ineptitude has never been more glaring than in the handling of this latest drugs scandal. BFA leaders have let the sport down, let their sponsors down, let Government down and betrayed their Country. Perhaps it should have been obvious to Bermuda that a badly misguided governing body was bound to result in some kind of horror.

In short, the BFA has become a national disgrace.

To condone the abuse of drugs borders on the criminal. Bermuda soccer will never be looked upon in the same way. As CONCACAF president Mr. Jack Warner noted last week, the Island had always been considered an example for others to aspire to. Now, following media reports that have been beamed around the world via CNN, BBC World Service and other international news organisations, Bermuda's image has been terminally stained.

Soccer in Bermuda needs a thorough cleansing and for that to be accomplished, all of those on the current BFA executive must be removed.

Drastic as though it may sound, we believe the senior sport should be indefinitely suspended. The BFA should be disbanded while efforts are made to complete a thorough investigation. Subsequently Bermuda must form a new local governing body for soccer. But time is important because soccer does make a contribution to our youth and it does keep some of them drug free. We must not leave young people with nothing to do but drugs. In the meantime, junior soccer should continue but it should be carefully supervised by people who themselves have undergone close scrutiny. The Country should be withdrawn from next year's Pan-Am Games finals until we can demonstrate that we are serious about soccer reform. In the end, our game may be better for that reform.

Soccer is an intrinsic part of our community, historically supplying role models to hundreds of schoolchildren. But the manner in which it is now being run is sending a dangerous message with dire consequences.