Seven questions that Rio must answer

Question marks remain over the Rio Ferdinand drug test. The Manchester United defender said he "forgot" about the test because he was moving house on the day it took place.

Standard Sport understands that Ferdinand did not leave straight after training on 23 September but instead went to the weights room before dashing home. Medical staff at other Premiership clubs say players know clearly who is to be tested and they are always in the company of a member of the drugs-testing unit and are not allowed to leave the premises until they have been tested.

It is also the responsibility of the club official who has told the players they are required, normally the team doctor or physio, to ensure everything is in order from the club's side with the testing procedure.

Football is different from other sports such as athletics where normally it is the drug testers, known as Independent Sampling Officers (ISO's), who make themselves known to the athlete concerned and will not leave their side until a sample is given. In football it is the club doctor or physio who approach the players to say the ISO's require them.

These are the questions that remain:

Ferdinand said in a statement he was "devastated" at missing out on England's game in Turkey and insisted he had never used drugs, but offered no explanation as to why he did not provide a routine sample until 36 hours after the test was meant to be carried out.

It is claimed he tried to contact the drug-testers, but they had already left United's Carrington training ground that afternoon.

Ferdinand is expected to be charged with misconduct following an interview with the Football Association next week. Eriksson still wanted to pick Ferdinand but was forced to "accept orders" from the FA.