By Patrick Bean The Bermuda Football Association must allow all Commercial League clubs a vote in the election and general policy process and cease practising what amounts to reverse discrimination, according to David Furbert.

In a wide-ranging interview, Furbert, who coaches First Division outfit Prospect, explained how the current voting process that excludes 10 of the 20 Commercial League members was racially discriminatory in its origin and must be changed for the good of all concerned.

"We the clubs have a responsibility and need to do our part to tidy up this aspect immediately,'' said Furbert, who last year, as coach of Devonshire Colts, guided them to victory in the Martonmere Cup, as well as Dudley Eve and Friendship Trophies. "Because when it comes to AGMs, the fact that Commercial League teams do not have a vote is totally wrong.

"I would go so far as to say that, when that was first initiated -- Commercial teams being denied a vote -- the majority of Commercial League teams at the time were, coincidentally, white. And, for whatever reason, it was put into being that they would have no vote.

"Now, if we could reverse the situation to say that black clubs had no vote, we would raise one hell about it. So, that's one area that we need to tidy up right away.'' While the make-up of today's Commercial League represents quite an even racial mix, Lobster Pot, MR Onions and Robin Hood of the `A' Division stand out today as examples of sides comprising mainly white expatriates that remain on the outside looking in.

Some 20 teams comprise the `A' and `B' Divisions, however 10 of those possess voting rights through prior or current affiliation with a Premier or First Division member.

Furbert theorised the hypocrisy of the matter in that the other 10 clubs are yet required to pay the same affiliation fees while adhering to the BFA constitution and rules just as an established voting member.

"I once raised the issue in a semi-AGM and got no answer ... no-one could even tell me why that rule was initiated in the first place,'' continued Furbert.

Asked if the fact that the league was created purely as a recreational, fun-type vehicle, as opposed to the other senior divisions that are competitively based, gave proper cause for their denial from the process, Furbert responded in the negative.

"If those reasons were given then they are not valid as to why they don't have a vote.

"If people are honest about it then they would recognise that the number one reason for initiating that rule was because of the fact that the majority of the teams at that time were white. It was never corrected and definitely needs to be corrected.'' It was further asserted that an enhanced pool including the clubs in question would work toward the betterment of soccer on the Island, with more ideas for progress being forwarded.

"Certainly they have things to offer. If you focus on a small pool, say three as opposed to 30, obviously you're going to get more ideas and potential for progress from the larger pool,'' said Furbert.

"I can't get into people's heads, but there could quite possibly be some of our blacks that feel threatened in a sense.

"But, if you do what's right, and stick strictly to that concept, there is no way that in the year 2001, we should be discriminating against any group of people. They should have as much right to vote as my club.''