following controversy over the ambassador to the Bahamas.

While Bermuda has gone a year without a top official United States representative, the Bahamas could receive a former American Football player.

And it must have raised fears that the Clinton Administration may not send the right man for the Bermudian job.

Acting consul, Mr. Stephen Kish said: "There had not been any movement when I contacted the White House last week.'' He said it was up to President Clinton.

The backlog of appointments has lessened over the last six to seven months, but the Bermuda Consul General post is still unfilled.

But the United States Congress has been rocked by the nomination of Mr. Sidney Williams, after a promise that "real expertise'' would be required of ambassadorial nominees.

The nomination of Mr. Williams to the Bahamas post has shocked many people because of his background in professional football and as a car salesman.

Senators have been unimpressed with the State Department's "Certificate of Demonstrated Competence,'' which asserted that Mr. Williams' football background enabled him to "develop strong discipline, strategic thinking and negotiating skills.'' He was a linebacker for the Cleveland Browns and the Washington Redskins of the National Football League between 1964 and 1969. Linebackers are defensive players requiring speed and tough tackling ability.

In written testimony to the committee, Mr. Williams said that selling Mercedes Benz cars "has helped me to sharpen my skills, including my ability to listen and my ability to persuade.'' The competency certificate and Williams' official biographic summary indicated that his experiences abroad were limited to several vacation trips to the Bahamas and travel with the Los Angeles Rams football team to England, Germany and Japan.

Democrats had accused Republican administrations of doling out too many ambassadorships to deep-pocketed campaign contributors, a practice derided by Vice President Al Gore as an "abuse.'' No one has accused Mr. Williams of buying the Bahamas post but he does have well-placed political backing. He is the husband of Rep. Maxine Waters, a member of the congressional Black Caucus, who spoke in Bermuda two months ago.

Mr. Williams' nomination was approved by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee by a 14-6 vote.

Mr. Kish said of the Bahamas controversy.