FIFA Congress to discuss Ferdinand missed drugs test

RIO FERDINAND’S missed drugs test will be among the issues to be discussed by FIFA’s 24-man executive committee when it convenes today for a two-day extraordinary FIFA Congress.

Ferdinand missed a drugs test at his Man United training ground last month and was ruled ineligible by the FA for England’s squad to face Turkey in last Saturday’s Euro 2004 qualifier, prompting threats of a player strike.

FIFA spokesman Andreas Herren said the huge media interest in the case had made it a story of great interest to most delegates of world soccer’s governing body.

Few were prepared to make any comment but former French star, Michel Platini, said he regarded the case as a matter for the English FA to deal with and, if necessary, the British Government.

Platini, who captained France to triumph in the 1984 European Championship finals, said the laws in France were much stricter than they appeared to be in England with regard to making sure players, or athletes involved in any sport, attended drugs tests when called to do so.

“This could not have happened in France,” he said. “When they come to the national team headquarters, sometimes on the day before a match, they come with the police as well because it is a national law to do this and to comply.

“In France, we cannot understand how this Ferdinand case actually happened because the French government plays a much stronger role in working in this area.”

But the Frenchman stressed he did not believe there was any greater problem with drugs in football now than there was when he was playing in his heyday in the 1980s. “There was not much to worry about then,” he said. “And I don't think there is anything much to worry about now.”

If a French player avoided taking a drugs test, for any reason, he would be regarded as guilty, he added.

Platini said that it was difficult to administer a global policy on controlling and barring drugs in football because the laws varied so much from country to country.

The executive committee will also consider several other key issues including allowing players with dual nationality to change from one to the other before they are 21, the controversial issue of automatic suspension for players sent off and the bidding processes and schedule for selecting a host for the 2010 World Cup finals.