Bermuda's Digicel Cup future still hangs in the balance.

Although Bermuda Football Association (BFA) executives continue to remain tight- lipped over the matter, The Royal Gazette can confirm the association has received correspondence from the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) who were expected to decide Bermuda's Digicel Cup fate yesterday.

However, BFA general secretary David Sabir refused last night to divulge the contents of a fax that was sent late yesterday afternoon to BFA headquarters.

Sabir said before the public can be informed of any new developments concerning what is believed to be an inquiry - and not an official protest - over the eligibility of three players from the British Virgin Islands, BFA executives must first be notified of the contents of the fax and then decide what course of action to take.

“I can confirm that we have received communication from the Caribbean Football Union on the matter that we have raised regarding the eligibility of players that represented the BVI,” Sabir said.

“However, I am not at liberty at this time to divulge the position of the BFA in regards to that as we will be in discussion as an association over the next day (today).

“All along the position from the BFA was to bring to the attention a concern regarding the tournament and we have done that. And we will be making correspondence to our regional body (CONCACAF) in order to obtain further discussion in a shorter period of time so that the resolution - whatever it may be - can be made as swiftly as possible to the benefit of football within our region.

“At the moment, we are still waiting for information on whether all the rules and regulations of FIFA in relation to ineligible players have been met.”

It was learned yesterday BFA president Larry Mussenden was currently off Island while many of the association's top executives had yet to learn of any new developments stemming from post Digicel Cup Group E matches played in St.Vincent late last month.

Bermuda were ousted from the inaugural competition - the first step on the road to next July's CONCACAF Gold CUP in the US - when they suffered a 2-0 loss at the hands of BVI.

Following the match, however, BFA officials questioned the eligibility of BVI striker Venton James, midfielder Avondale Williams and ‘keeper Montgomery Butler who had all previously suited up for St.Vincent.

St.Vincent and Grenadines Football Federation (SVGFF) later confirmed James had in fact represented the country in 1997.

Should James or any of the other two players be found to have breached CFU regulations relating to player eligibility, then Bermuda could possibly be reinstated to the competition, according to CFU officials.

When contacted yesterday, CFU general secretary Harold Taylor cautioned that even if players did represent St. Vincent in 1997, regulations that now apply were not in effect back then.

“Some of the competitions that were played then were almost like private competitions of the CFU,” he told The Royal Gazette yesterday.

“Now we are playing the Digicel Cup and it is played under the rules and regulations of the CONCACAF Gold Cup.”

He stressed that the CFU is not recognised by FIFA because it is only a sub-section of CONCACAF and therefore if “CFU decides to run a competition it has nothing to do with CONCACAF”.

Taylor also noted that players could have legitimately have changed nationality and therefore be eligible to play for their new homeland.

“There are a lot of things you have to look into before you can decide whether a fellow is eligible or not,” he said, revealing that FIFA Vice President Austin (Jack) Warner would consult with other footballing officials first before any decision could be made.

The next round of the competition is due to be played over two legs, beginning this weekend with BVI taking on Trinidad and St. Vincent playing Grenada.