Soccer clubs concerned about Bermuda's new drug-free policy will get the opportunity to meet with Youth and Sports director Brenton Roberts on Monday night to discuss their fears.

The meeting has been arranged by Bermuda Football Association and it will take place at Social Club, starting at 6.30 p.m.

BFA General Secretary David Sabir yesterday encouraged clubs to send as many executive members as possible since the policy has a mjor impact on all teams and players.

"We look at this as being a great opportunity for both the clubs and our own members to hear first hand about how the drug policy is to be implemented and operated,'' said Sabir.

"Mr. Roberts is the most knowledgeable source with his ministry having been actively driving this policy from day one with the support of all national sports governing bodies.

"His presence to discuss it gives the affiliates in particular the chance to present some questions and seek some clarifications on the subject matter and at the same time it presents the entire family of soccer some direction as to where the executive committee stands on the issue of drugs in sport.'' Some soccer clubs recently voiced their concern to the BFA about the policy, indicating that they would be reluctant to have any of their players tested at this time.

However, the meeting with Roberts was apparently scheduled long before the BFA received any negative feedback from their affiliates.

In a circular to clubs, the BFA have said they are firmly behind the drug-free policy.

They urged clubs to support the policy as well as the BFA's initiatives to remove this "social problem from the fibres of our local and international football programme.

"The BFA has determined that by encouraging and supporting the Island's efforts to eliminate drugs from the sports community it can only be seen as a positive step. We are committed to the ideals of a drug free sport environment throughout Bermuda.''