FA deny Rio ban claims

The Football Association today refuted reports they had sought the maximum two-year ban for Rio Ferdinand as punishment for missing a drugs test.

The Manchester United defender was suspended for eight months pending appeal on Friday after he failed to take a random test at the club’s Carrington training ground on September 23.

Reports today claimed the FA pushed for a two-year suspension at the player’s hearing in Bolton but the game’s governing body insist that was not the case.

A spokesman told the Press Association: “Stories today implying that the Football Association were seeking a two-year ban for Rio Ferdinand are totally without foundation.”

United have now requested written clarification from the FA of the reasons for the verdict and punishment agreed by the three-man panel.

The club will have 14 days to appeal upon receipt of the explanation from the FA with the initial appeal deadline being January 12.

The FA’s doping control regulations do permit a maximum ban of two years for a first drugs offence but there are no set penalties – something which became a bone of contention in Ferdinand’s hearing.

Last season, Manchester City defender Christian Negouai was fined £2,000 for missing a test and Rushden & Diamonds goalkeeper Billy Turley escaped with a warning after testing positive for nandrolone while Mark Bosnich, then a Chelsea goalkeeper but now out of contract, received a nine-month ban for a positive test for cocaine.

The FA have asked former top athlete Lord Coe for his views on how the testing procedures and punishments for failed and missed tests can be delivered with greater consistency.

The FA spokesman added: “There is a review of our doping control programme ongoing. The issue of penalties will be a major part of those discussions.”

The fact that Ferdinand’s case was not heard until December 18 means that unless the ban is overturned on appeal, he will now miss the rest of this season for his club and also the chance to play for England at Euro 2004.