very bad behaviour. As usual in Bermuda there are also some wild rumours circulating which should be kept in perspective.

It seems to us that anyone who goes away as an official with a group representing Bermuda takes some responsibility for looking after the group. It is incomprehensible that Bermuda Football Association officials came home on Friday and left seven players behind without their help or comfort. The very function of officials travelling with a team is to care for the team. It is not a free trip or a holiday but a post with responsibilities. We understand that officials were shocked and confused by the events at Miami airport but surely it must have occurred to one of them that just their continued presence in Miami would be helpful and comforting to players, parents and the BFA.

The Bermuda Football Association has a long history of erratic behaviour and questionable decisions but the decision to leave seven arrested players in Miami unassisted must be the worst. Maybe the officials forgot their role but we have to wonder what might have happened if seven players had been physically injured. In this aspect the officials let the side down.

It also seems to us that Bermudians, even Bermudians in high places, have failed to remember the basic fact of law that a person is innocent until proven guilty. Seven young men who were returning home as heroes were arrested by US authorities but they have not pleaded guilty, we have not heard their side of the story and they have not been convicted. Whatever the outcome of this event which has stunned Bermuda like no other in recent times, this team plays great football and, no matter what the outcome, there will remain heroes on the team and among the coaches.

Some of the speeches in the House of Assembly on Friday were deplorable. With the notable exception of the Premier, who took great care with what he said, some MPs presumed guilt for these young men in advance and made a bad mistake.

Elected representatives should know better or should at least think before they speak.

The same can be said for the broadcast media. ZBM especially has been broadcasting what is little short of a kangaroo court, talking about the evidence and assuming guilt. Their behaviour has been outside the bounds of both law and good sense.

However, Bermuda is tough on importation of drugs and we have no right to expect other jurisdictions to be otherwise. If and when these seven plead guilty or are convicted, and not before, Bermuda will have some tough decisions to make. We think that Bermuda would have to withdraw the team from the Pan American Games and return the place won in Jamaica, including the cash. We must also institute drug testing for all persons representing Bermuda in international competitions here and abroad. We would also have to test foreign competitors taking part here in Bermuda.

In the event that the footballers are acquitted, all concerned with sports tours abroad must ensure that this kind of embarrassment never happens again.