Ferdinand begins eight-month ban

ENGLAND defender Rio Ferdinand has officially started his eight-month ban from football, the day after he appealed against his suspension for missing a drugs test, it was announced by the Football Association last night.

The 25-year-old Manchester United centre-back starts his ban today, but has decided to appeal the decision by a tribunal in December that he merited an eight-month ban a decision deemed "savage" and "unprecedented" by club lawyer Maurice Watkins.

"I want to get back playing," Ferdinand said. "If starting the suspension now will help, then I'm prepared to suffer it."