Rio ban sparks furious debate

Rio Ferdinand’s eight-month suspension for failing to take a drugs test is either “very draconian” or very light – depending on which expert observer you listen to.

Professional Footballers’ Association chief executive Gordon Taylor was beside himself at the severity of the punishment tonight when he felt Ferdinand could easily have been given the “benefit of the doubt”.

But Dick Pound, president of the World Anti-Doping Agency, considered Ferdinand – also fined £50,000 (€71,333) – had “dodged the bullet” and ought to be very wary of Manchester United’s avowed intention to appeal on his behalf, in case their England defender ends up with an even longer ban.

As things stand Ferdinand is effectively ruled out of the remainder of the domestic season as well as next summer’s Euro 2004 campaign, thanks to the decision by an independent commission under the auspices of Football Association.

But the ruling of the three-man panel was greeted with dismay by footballers’ union boss Taylor.

He told BBC Radio 5 Live: “We knew there would have to be a penalty.

“But an eight-month ban and £50,000 fine is, I feel, very draconian.

“I felt there was every opportunity for the FA to give him the benefit of the doubt.

“There had to be a penalty, bearing in mind the world pressure. But he has not been given the benefit of the doubt, quite clearly.”

United director and solicitor Maurice Watkins immediately announced the club will appeal against what they describe as a “savage and unprecedented” punishment for Ferdinand, who failed to take the drugs test on September 23.

But anti-doping boss Pound warns that may be a dangerous course of action.

Pound told BBC News 24 he believes Ferdinand got off lightly, questioning the reasoning of the tribunal – given that the penalty in other sports would most likely have been a two-year ban.

“They (must) have heard something which mitigates the penalty,” he said.

“I think he’s done very well. Getting only a third of what you might be liable for is not bad.

“I don’t know who was advising him – but they should be careful about an appeal against the sentence, because it could be increased.”

The WADA chief later told Sky Sports News: “He has dodged the bullet in some respects.

“The sentence is a third of the theoretical maximum he could have got, so he’s done pretty well from his perspective.

“The problem with a lot of the drugs that can be taken is that a lot can happen between the time you are designated to provide a sample and the time that you actually do take the test.”

Following tonight’s announcement, the FA released their own short statement which noted only: “Clearly the commission regarded not taking a drugs test as a very serious matter and have taken their action accordingly.”

John Scott, the man currently in charge of doping issues at testing agency UK Sport, backed the FA’s handling of the matter.

He said: “It’s the responsibility of the FA to set the penalty – and while the recommended ban for this sort of offence is two years, they have obviously taken account of the circumstances.

“Our main concern with any doping offence is that the governing body follows the rules and regulations, and we are very satisfied that the FA has gone through a proper process and a proper hearing.”

Elsewhere in football, there were sympathetic reactions for Ferdinand from his former West Ham manager Harry Redknapp and Graham Taylor.

Redknapp, now in charge of Portsmouth, insists Ferdinand has nothing to hide and was simply forgetful.

“I’m sure in Rio’s case, having known him very well, he’s not a drug-taker,” he told BBC News 24.

“He’s a forgetful lad, to be honest with you.”

Of the length of the ban, Redknapp added: “I think it’s a little harsh. If he’d been caught taking drugs I’d have said ‘Give him two years, give him three years’.

“He’ll obviously be very disappointed. He has a great love of football; he’s a fantastic footballer.”

Redknapp predicted even before United confirmed as much that Ferdinand would launch an appeal against the ban.

“I think it will go on, this case. They’re a very powerful outfit, Manchester United,” he said.

Redknapp suggested that the manner of drug-testing in English football ought to change as a consequence of this case.

Speaking about the testers who visit training grounds, Redknapp said: “They should go over and say: ‘Rio Ferdinand, you’re having a drugs test today, and come in and get it done.’

“It’s got to be done on a much more professional basis than it is at the moment.”

Former England manager Taylor also believes football as a whole has lessons to learn from the Ferdinand saga.

“Everybody in football has to understand how important it is that we are drug free,” he told BBC Radio 5 Live.

“The message to all professional footballers is ‘You do not forget if you are being asked to take a drugs test’.”

Taylor accepts highly-paid young players are in danger of being tempted by drugs, whether they be recreational or performance-enhancing.

“It would be silly of any of us to think they would not come into contact with that sort of environment.

“The clubs and managers have to make it abundantly clear to young professional footballers who are earning tremendous amounts of money that they do not succumb to temptations.

“Professional football must understand it has to take responsibility for this now.”