The seemingly unending issue as to the validity of the Bermuda Football Association's recent presidential election took another twist last night, with the matter set to be sent to arbitration.

A well attended meeting, where the heat was certainly turned up, ended with Chris Furbert, president of PHC and spokesman for the affiliate sect challenging the constitutionality of the July 24 process that secured Neville Tyrrell a second term as BFA head man, making the motion to send the matter to committee.

It was set down for a group containing four affiliates and two honorary vice-presidents to develop terms of reference for presentation to a five-member collection of honorary vice-presidents that will return with a recommendation.

Both Tyrrell and Furbert expressed satisfaction the resolution reached.

"It was resolved this evening that there would be a committee selected to look at the issue of the election process on the July 24, and any other aspect of the constitution, which is either ambiguous or unclear,'' explained Tyrrell, visibly worn by the night's proceedings.

"The whole issue revolves around interpretations of the constitution, that's all that was resolved this evening.'' At issue has been the fact that honorary vice-president Eugene Blakeney acted in the role of presiding officer on the night of the annual general meeting as opposed to the sitting vice-president, mandated by the constitution.

Tyrrell admitted there to be some `murkiness' surrounding the situation that took place and that the matter desperately needed to be resolved.

"I'm comfortable that we're going to get the situation clarified,'' he said.

"I'm here as president to ensure that football moves forward. And whether it moves forward without Neville Tyrrell, football still has to move forward.'' "And the clubs recognised here tonight that I didn't come disputing what they're saying. I agree, there is some ambiguity...we wouldn't be in this situation if there was no ambiguity, so we need to clarify it for the future.

"Whoever comes behind me is going to have a similar problem concerning the constitution.

"It's not about Neville Tyrrell. If the clubs do not want me to be president they can do it right here, it's a simple as that.'' Meanwhile, Furbert took solace in that the motion made had been accepted, but, unlike Tyrrell, he remained convinced beyond doubt that the previous process was very much flawed.

"I still believe that the election that was held on the 24th was in violation of the constitution... that will never change,'' said Furbert, who revealed that the group had chosen to seek arbitration over making a demand for new elections. "There was some question as to whether we should go that route or not and the way we've decided to go I think is the right way.

"Hopefully, when we send it off to the five honorary vice-presidents they'll look at all of those things and bring back some clarification for the affiliates.

"Whatever they come back with I'm prepared to accept.'' However, the prolonging of the matter does mean that a cloud of uncertainty remains, which may well affect the running of the body, and with sponsorship being sought and decisions to be made some openly wondered how it could possibly operate in a positive manner.

Yet the ever cool and confident Tyrrell preferred to look at it as another obstacle to be overcome.

"It's just another challenge and we have challenges everyday,'' said Tyrrell.

"This is just something we have to deal with.

"It's not an ideal situation, no. But one of the things I keep hammering home is the longer this goes on the outside world is looking at us as if we can't run our own situation.''