FA wants to see Rio mobile phone records

RIO FERDINAND will be asked by the Football Association for his mobile phone records before they decide on any charges for missing a drugs test.

It is understood that the FA are to request the records plus some additional information from Manchester United as part of their investigation.

Only then will they decide whether the United defender is to be charged with 'failing to attend an anti-doping test' or the more serious offence of 'wilful failure to attend an anti-doping test'.

Ferdinand claims he left the Carrington training ground on September 23 after having forgotten he was supposed to be tested.

Frantic efforts by United staff to contact him on his mobile phone failed until that afternoon. If his phone records prove it was switched off for the hours immediately after leaving training then it will help Ferdinand's mitigation that he did not deliberately avoid the drugs testers.

The FA have been told that United's club doctor Mike Stone told Ferdinand twice about his test Nicky Butt, Ryan Giggs and a junior player were also tested but he still forgot and went off shopping.

Meanwhile, United chief executive David Gill has confirmed Ferdinand will be available for selection against his former club Leeds at Elland Road on Saturday.

Despite being left out of the England squad last week, the 24-year-old will not be suspended before or after being charged under FA regulations he is only suspended as a punishment and a ban is by no means certain.

Gill told the Manchester Evening News: "Rio will continue to be selected until such time as whatever punishment is decided upon is meted out and begins.

"The manager and his United team-mates would want him to be selected I am sure. As a club we'd be comfortable with him being chosen. We clearly know the facts behind the case and there is no moral dilemma.

"The club has reacted in the past when it felt it was necessary to do so. United suspended Eric Cantona in 1995 following his unfortunate incident with a fan against Crystal Palace. You take each case on its merits and there is no requirement we feel not to carry on playing Rio if the manager chooses him."

Ferdinand's case could be raised at FIFA's executive board meeting in Doha later this week.

FIFA's medical committee head Michel D'Hooghe stressed yesterday that Ferdinand's case was serious and that he had to be punished.

lThe Football Association last night confirmed both Arsenal and Manchester United have responded to the various charges which followed incidents during their Barclaycard Premiership clash at Old Trafford on Sunday, September 21.

Arsenal have been accused of failing to control their players, while Patrick Vieira, Martin Keown, Ashley Cole, Lauren, Ray Parlour and Jens Lehmann all face individual charges.

Manchester United's Ryan Giggs and Cristiano Ronaldo also face individual charges.

Amazingly, Arsenal, although in the thick of disciplinary action with the Football Association, have also managed to make to the top of the Premier League's Fair Play League table.

The league is based on several factors: the number of red and yellow cards, positive play, respect for opponents and the referee plus the behaviour of club officials. Points are awarded from reports made by the Premier League's referees assessors who attend each match.

Arsenal are also third in the fans' fair play league with the team whose supporters finishing top receiving £20,000 (€28,000) at the end of the season.