I’m devastated: Ferdinand

RIO FERDINAND last night spoke of his devastation at being left out of the England squad to face Turkey on Saturday – a repercussion of the Manchester United defender’s failure to attend a drugs test.

As the controversy over his omission from the squad gathered pace, Ferdinand released a statement insisting he has never used or condoned the use of drugs.

Meanwhile, relations between Manchester United and the Football Association have deteriorated to an all-time low after the club expressed their outrage at the FA’s handling of the situation.

Ferdinand’s omission from the squad to travel to Turkey for Saturday’s Euro 2004 Group 7 decider was confirmed this afternoon. He is expected to be charged with misconduct following an interview next week despite providing a negative sample 36 hours after the original test was due to be carried out.

Ferdinand said: “I am absolutely devastated by this situation and I want to take this opportunity to categorically state that I have never used drugs or condoned the use of drugs in sport or in society.

“I have been routinely tested like all players throughout my career and the results have always been the same: negative, like the most recent test.

“The biggest disappointment is not being picked for England for a game which is so important not only to myself, but also the team and the England fans. I have worked hard from a young age to get where I am and to be left out of the squad at this crucial stage is devastating.

“I would like to express my gratitude for all the support I am getting from my family and friends, Alex Ferguson and everyone else at Manchester United and the PFA,” he said.

Manchester United are understood to be considering legal action over the case. In an astonishing attack on the game’s governing body, United claim the FA have “seriously compromised” Ferdinand’s right to confidentiality.

United chief executive David Gill said: “The club is deeply troubled by the FA’s handling of the situation and believes it is at variance with the FA’s approach to other drugs-related cases.

“We think the FA’s decision not to select Rio for England is wrong for the player and wrong for the country.

“As a consequence, we will be vigorously pursuing our concerns about the matter in due course.”

In a statement, United added: “Rio has still not been charged with an offence, and precedent suggests that he should continue to be available to represent England until at least a disciplinary finding has been made against him by the FA.

"Manchester United believes the FA’s actions have seriously compromised the player’s confidentiality,” the club said.

United and the PFA had fought desperately to stop the FA from excluding Ferdinand from selection. The decision was finally taken by FA chief executive Mark Palios, whose judgment was also based on advice from in-house lawyer Nic Coward.

The FA did make attempts to bring forward the formal interview, due to take place on Monday next week, to yesterday afternoon or this morning. That would have allowed Ferdinand to be charged with misconduct and then suspended, but he was advised not to go along with the request.

FA director of marketing and communications Paul Barber said: “Bearing in mind the imminent squad announcement for next Saturday’s match, the FA held discussions with the player, with Manchester United officials and with the PFA relating to the selection issue that had to be considered.

“In addition, following a suggestion from the PFA, the FA also offered to meet Rio Ferdinand on Monday and again yesterday and again today.

“Given the seriousness with which the FA views breaches of its doping control regulations, the imminent England squad announcement and the importance of Saturday’s match the FA concluded that it was inappropriate for Rio Ferdinand to be available for selection for England at this time.”

Barber emphasised the FA “is not making any judgement regarding the player’s future England career”. not “prejudging the outcome of any possible future disciplinary hearing.”

But the storm will not die down easily. Professional Footballers Association (PFA) chief executive Gordon Taylor believes the FA’s whole drug-testing policy has been called into question.

He said: “The FA have totally breached their own rules which say there is to be no disclosure of a player’s identity until there has been a clear proof of guilt and a punishment has been imposed.

“The FA have made their minds up not to select him for the England squad, and I find that disgraceful. They have hung him out to dry.”