Ferdinand’s battle of Bolton

RIO FERDINAND heads to Bolton for the biggest battle of his career today — with chief executive of the Professional Footballers’ Association, Gordon Taylor, believing the verdict has already been delivered against Manchester United’s record signing.

Not since Eric Cantona launched himself into the crowd at Selhurst Park nine years ago, has a disciplinary issue captured as much attention as Ferdinand now has failing to appear for a random drugs test at United's Carrington training ground in September. The verdict will be delivered, maybe tomorrow evening, by panel chairman Barry Bright who banned Roy Keane for eight games last year giving Ferdinand and his legal team two days to try to wriggle free.

Their case will be fairly straightforward Ferdinand forgot to take the test, offered to come back 90 minutes later and was turned down and Taylor is convinced by the argument.

But such publicity has been generated and so many influential members of the sporting fraternity have expressed an opinion, he does not believe Ferdinand has any chance of justice.

"Any opportunity to deal with the matter objectively has been lost," the Professional Footballers' Association chief executive said.

"The whole thing is a complete mess and the FA have put themselves into a very difficult position.

"On one hand you have Sepp Blatter trying to make Rio out to be public enemy number one, on the other you have the feeling of the FA trying to stand up to Manchester United.

"I don't want to pre-judge the hearing but it appears the FA feel they have to put a marker down. I believe they will look to make Rio a scapegoat. If that happens, it would be extremely unfair." With all eyes on them, the three-man independent panel must steer a middle course between handing down a ban automatic in virtually any other sport and the fine Manchester City's Christian Negouai received.

Negouai also missed giving a sample, but he had been delayed picking his mother up from the airport on his way to the test circumstances Ferdinand cannot state in his defence.

The FA's legal team will he headed by leading sports lawyer Mark Gay, a partner in London-based law firm Denton Wilde Sapte.

In Ferdinand's corner will be Ronald Thwaites QC, one of England s foremost barristers, and Maurice Watkins, a Manchester United director and solicitor, who is also heavily involved in political work for UEFA and the Premier League.

The FA's prosecution will rely almost exclusively on the UK Sport drug testers, who attended United's Carrington training ground on September 23 and left without Ferdinand giving a sample. Crucially they will be asked to explain why they refused the England defender's offer to return and provide the sample after apparently forgetting to take the test.

In defence, Ferdinand will bring forward an extensive list of witnesses, including Manchester City midfielder Eyal Berkovic, who is believed to have been with his former West Ham team-mate when he made the call offering to return to Carrington.

A character statement from England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson is expected to be presented, while it is believed his club boss, Sir Alex Ferguson, and Taylor will also speak on the player's behalf.

Most importantly of all, United's club doctor, Mike Stone, will provide a detailed chronology of how the day unfolded. Stone is the one who tried to contact Ferdinand when it became evident he was late for the test, and is also believed to be the one the defender spoke to when he made his offer to return.

The situation has not been made easier by FIFA president Sepp Blatter's interventions.

Despite United and the FA dismissing his claims that Ferdinand should have been instantly suspended, Blatter has maintained his offensive and again hinted he may refuse to sanction any punishment if he deems it not to be severe enough.

"Surely, if we condemn a player who has either refused or miraculously forgotten to take a drug test, it is not FIFA that is at fault, but those directly responsible for this inexcusable omission and its aftermath," said Blatter.

"That is the individual himself, his club, and the FA which has not swiftly enforced the laws on the suspension of players that ought to be applied," he said in the Financial Times.

"If FIFA sees this sort of thing happening, it is its duty to intervene. It is the only way to make sure that the law is the same for everyone, rich and poor. FIFA cannot accept different strokes for different folks.

"If this type of behaviour persists we may well consider promulgating a law to impose a lifetime ban on any player caught taking performance-enhancing drugs and relegation on his club. If clubs can't control their players, who can?"

Since criticising Blatter's stance, United chief executive David Gill has kept a low profile on the issue, as have the rest of the Old Trafford hierarchy.

Privately, though, they reject any notion that a deal has been struck for Ferdinand not to appeal if he receives a three-month ban.

Meanwhile members of the IAAF hierarchy are waiting to see whether the FAFootball Association impose on Ferdinand the World Anti-Doping Agency's recommended punishment for a serious offence of a two-year ban.

IAAF senior vice-president Professor Arne Ljungqvist, who is head of the International Olympic Association's Medical Commission after formerly holding the same position with the IAAF, had previously called for WADA's maximum ban to be implemented.

"I've seen nothing but the clear refusal of Ferdinand giving a doping sample," he said. "We will have to see what they deliver and, if it is not substantial, have them [the FA] clearly explain why they have done this.

"A minimum sentence would send out a very strange message."