"The player has not been charged with any offence, but has been asked to attend a personal interview on Monday 13 October to explain the reasons behind his nonattendance. Rio will have had no opportunity to outline his position before this interview. The player underwent a routine official FA drugs test 36 hours later on 25 September and this was negative."
It is clear that furious discussions have been going on between the FA and United over Ferdinand's availability. United are stressing that he did not "refuse" the test but simply forgot because he was moving house and this should not count against his selection.
But the case is likely to stay under the microscope at home and abroad for months, especially since it involves such a highly paid player, known worldwide.
Caborn highlighted the recent cocaine case of former Chelsea goalkeeper Mark Bosnich after the FA handed the Australian a ban of nine months instead of the recommended two years.
The Sports Minister is committed to pushing for tough sanctions after the Government-backed WADA's adoption of a new anti-drugs code at a special conference in Copenhagen in March.
With London bidding for the 2012 OIympics, Caborn has to push football to start fighting hard in the campaign against drugs which is very important to the International Olympic Committee.
The FA will be watched very carefully by WADA chief Dick Pound, who criticised Australian cricket authorities this year when Shane Warne was suspended for only 12 months after a positive test.
Under WADA's code, failure to appear can lead to a ban of up to two years.
However, FIFA, which has yet to sign up to the WADA code, state that a ban of 12 months should be imposed together with a minimum fine of around £7,000.
FIFA will come under pressure to sign up to the code in the next six months even though it is worried about facing possible legal action from players. The FA is likely to come under fire if it does not at least follow the FIFA guidelines should Ferdinand be found to have broken the rules.
