Rio Ferdinand will almost certainly miss out on Euro 2004, and possibly much more, because of the missed drug test which has turned his life upside down. Although the Football Association (FA) has opted against charging him with wilfully evading UK Sport’s drugtesters, it still has the power to ban him for two years.
The FA’s investigative team, led by its compliance officer Steve Barrow, was bemused to find that Wednesday’s indictment of Ferdinand under the FA’s rule E26, with reference to regulation 1(c) of the Doping Control Regulations, was perceived by the Professional Footballers’ Association as a victory for the Manchester United defender.
On the contrary, the FA’s stance seems to have hardened considerably, and Sir Alex Ferguson may have to start planning for life without his most expensive player.
Ferdinand (24) has not, as had been anticipated, been charged under rule 1(e) — the offence of wilful obstruction — but well-placed sources at Soho Square confirmed that his misconduct charge still incorporates the allegation that he deliberately refused to give a urine sample when it was required, on September 23.
Regulation 1(c) refers to ‘the failure or refusal by a player to submit to drug testingâ€. The FA says the key word is ‘refusal†and unless Ferdinand can prove this does not apply to him he may face the stiffest sanctions.
If that were to happen, it is difficult to overstate the effect it would have on his career. Already a millionaire, on a financial level the repercussions might not hurt him much, but losing such a large chunk of his career might cause irreparable damage.
It would also have serious ramifications for Ferguson and Sven-Goran Eriksson, with Manchester United and the national team losing one of their most accomplished players.
There is no guarantee either that Manchester United’s plc would sanction the payment of Ferdinand’s £80 000 weekly wage. United hope it will not come to that but they are concerned that in such a big-name case the FA may make an example of him. —