two high-ranking officials it was confirmed yesterday.

And a third party, director Elroy Ratteray, said that a request on his part was withdrawn after he learned that the practice was unconstitutional.

The Royal Gazette has learned that former national team manager Mark Trott and director Gerard Bean, who served as tour manager for Bermuda's World Cup match in El Salvador, received monies totalling $5,000 as remuneration for time spent away from work.

BFA president Charlie Marshall has now admitted that the players were not the only ones compensated during the World Cup campaign.

"There were other persons that were assisted that were involved in Bermuda's World Cup endeavour,'' said the president. "It was the wish of the affiliates that no one was to suffer hardship from our participation in the World Cup.'' "The players were only one facet, there was also the trainer, medic and other members of the touring party.

"I've always tried to be honest and have nothing to hide. Everything done in the World Cup is fully audited and accounted for.'' Marshall intimated that the source of the recent sensation of former administrator Joe L. Brown. "We are dealing with a disgruntled former employee that is feeding damaging information in an attempt to discredit the association,'' he said.

Neither Trott nor Bean would confirm the allegations when confronted yesterday, both referring the issue to the president. But Ratteray, who was tour manager during the earlier rounds, said that his case only came to light after "the others had put their requests in.'' "I was called by Joe Brown and asked if I was going to put a bill in,'' said Ratteray yesterday. "I didn't sign it, but I had it just in case this was the practice. Immediately after learning that this was not the practice, I tore it up.'' The issue of money first arose when it was decided that the national team members be compensated for time spent from work during the World Cup commitment. The players were housed at Warwick Camp for a few weeks, which included two matches here, before leaving on the away series that took in three countries.

"I have been travelling with the team since the early seventies and never been paid,'' added Ratteray. "But this particular time, I thought it was a new practice. It took this turn because the players were paid and because of the call I got from the administrative assistant.'' Ratteray added that he knew of other officials who had either received payment or were making applications for remuneration.

He said: "It was something I heard about. One might have been paid but I don't think the other was by the time my situation arose.'' It is believed that Trott's application for remuneration came before he left for overseas duty while Bean's came later.

The executive committee and BFA Finance Committee met on the issue of whether president Charlie Marshall was correct in approving the money for Trott. And after exhausting two options in particular -- whether Trott should pay the money back or whether the president himself should repay that sum -- a compromise was reached and Bean was given his requested amount.

Former treasurer Kent Bascome, who resigned for personal reasons in December, said: "People were paid under the authority of the president and I only acted under his authorisation.

"As far as I know there was nothing under-handed or untoward about the payments. I know Mark received payment, but I'm not sure about Dr. Bean.'' Ratteray added: "Certain members were always against it and when it came to the executive that's when it was decided. The executive ruled that if it was a hardship on the particular person they should be remunerated. That's when I immediately ripped up my bill in front of the Finance Committee.'' Ratteray's application had been for $1,200. He noted that there had been instances in the past when officials travelling with national teams have used their own finances. "When I went to Haiti I paid $500 out of my pocket,'' he said in reference to the incident when Bermuda were surprisingly charged head tax on departure. "So there is certain money that you wouldn't expect to spend when you travel that is spent. But I have never submitted a bill for that.'' MARK TROTT GERARD BEAN.