Rio Ferdinand begins his appeal today against an eight-month ban for missing a drugs test with sports lawyers questioning the value of new evidence that his team will lay before the panel.

Rio Ferdinand has received the backing of the PFA, Nike and the legal profession over his intention to appeal against his eight-month drugs ban.

Leeds United defender Michael Duberry was today cleared of accusations that he tried to hinder police investigations into a savage attack on an Asian student.

The judge in the Leeds United soccer trial has warned the jury that "honest" witnesses could have made mistakes about identification.

An Asian student allegedly attacked by two Leeds United footballers "triggered" the attack by throwing a punch, a court has heard.