Government's report of the board of inquiry into drugs in soccer, throwing his unequivocal support behind it.

Bermuda Football Association president Richard Thompson made an impassioned plea for the public and club affiliates to work together to clean up a sport riddled with drug problems and shrouded in controversy since seven national team players were arrested in Miami last December.

"One of the biggest things will be to solicit the support of the affiliates and everyone in the football fraternity,'' said Thompson yesterday.

A relaxed Thompson met with the media in the boardroom of the BFA office yesterday, his first public response to the report written by the former Premier the Hon. Sir John Sharpe, and board members Eugene Blakeney, Louis Mowbray, Kenneth Richardson and Calvin Symonds.

The embattled president -- accompanied during the 50-minute media conference by general secretary David Sabir -- acknowledged that ridding soccer of its numerous problems was now his top priority.

While saying that most of the recommendations of the Sharpe Inquiry should now be put firmly in place, Thompson, 47, is aware that the task that lies ahead could be the most daunting of his 15 years in Island soccer.

Thompson agreed with recommendations made by the board, including: Background checks should be done of players representing Bermuda; Players should be tested for the use of marijuana and other drugs; BFA executive members be tested for drugs; Job descriptions be drawn up for officials accompanying teams abroad; Players' bags should be searched following overseas trips; That a "Sportsmen Say No To Drugs'' campaign be implemented.

Thompson said the BFA executive is prepared "to play its part...but we cannot work alone.'' The BFA president -- in the post now for almost a year -- said that a meeting will take place on June 26 with affiliates and members of the board of inquiry, in the first full-blown discussion of the report.

"As the leaders we are prepared to set the pace,'' he said. "To set the standard...to set an example, if you will.'' He was not prepared to say, however, if the meeting would be open to the public or media.

Thompson said club officials he has spoken to -- he would not reveal who they were -- "said that they're willing to work along with the BFA and be more supportive.'' Club officials will now hold the key since the board's recommendations can only be implemented if "the clubs agree to put them in place.'' Later he said: "I'm not saying we can't get the clubs (to agree), it's something we're going to have to do. It's not going to be easy. It's going to be a task and I'm prepared to put the work in.

"It's for the good of football and it's for the good of the community.'' Although the Sharpe Inquiry rebuked the BFA by stating that the arrests could have been avoided if team officials were more vigilant in Jamaica, Thompson deflected blame away from the BFA executive -- in what appeared to be his only criticism of the board's report.

In a prepared text he said that team officials warned players about the possibility of a search by customs officials.

"Deep down I don't believe we made mistakes,'' he declared later in a question-and-answer session.

He also defended decisions made by Neville Tyrrell, the head of delegation during the ill-fated Jamaican tour, who chose not to stay with the arrested players in Miami.

"I don't think Mr. Tyrrell should be singled out,'' said Thompson. "He would have needed the support and cooperation of other officials.'' Thompson said that domestic players will not be asked to submit to drug tests, at least not initially.

For the first time, Thompson looked decisive and seemed focussed on confronting local soccer's biggest crisis ever.

He also reacted to a statement made by one club president to the board that his whole team smoked marijuana. Thompson said "I'm sure (widespread marijuana use) is out there.

"Hopefully with the report it will have persuaded the club officials, clubs, affiliates, everyone within the football fraternity that something has to be done.'' Members of the Sharpe Inquiry were recently criticised by Shadow Minister of Sport Dr. Ewart Brown for not interviewing players who were in Jamaica, although the board did invite the players through coach Mark Trott.

Thompson said he didn't know why the players didn't appear before the board.

"I have no idea why the players didn't show up,'' said Thompson. "Certainly the approach didn't come before the Bermuda Football Association...that we should have the players appear before the board.'' Thompson said he hoped sponsorship funds wouldn't shrivel up as a result of the scandal.

"I believe we're doing the right things by cleaning up football,'' he said.

"I don't think the public out there is going to hold football at ransom, if you will.

"Football plays a very significant role in this community.'' The BFA yesterday confirmed dates for Olympic qualifying matches against Costa Rica.

The first leg will take place in Bermuda on July 29 with the match in Costa Rica on August 6.

FLASHBACK -- A gloomy Richard Thompson, left, and David Sabir during their first media conference after the drug scandal began to unfold last December.