United fury over Rio axing

"At no point since then has Manchester United agreed with the approach the FA has taken to the matter, nor has it supported the FA's decision regarding Rio's non-selection for the England squad.

"It was not until Monday 6 October that documentation was received by the club regarding the notification of Rio's need to attend a personal interview with the FA on Monday 13 October. As of today, 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 publicity generated by the FA's actions has put unfair pressure on Rio in what should have a remained a strictly confidential matter."

David Gill, Manchester United's Chief Executive, added: "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 all 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."

Eriksson confirmed this afternoon that Ferdinand, who would have been a definite starter for the match in Istanbul, has been left out of the squad.

The hardline from the FA over the drugs controversy provoked a heated reaction from United and Professional Footballers' Association chief executive Gordon Taylor.

He claimed today that Britain's most expensive footballer had been "hung out to dry" by the FA. It is understood that United's lawyers claim the rules say the FA can take action against a player only if he refuses a test not if he "forgot" as it is being claimed here. The FA refute this interpretation.

PFA chief Taylor said: "There has been a breach of confidentiality here and a naming and shaming of Rio. We are extremely upset by it. This is a complete contravention of the FA's own rules.

"He has been hung out to dry and you can imagine how Manchester United and Rio feel about this. They will claim that England is a separate issue but there has never been an interim suspension before a hearing. They have virtually identified him - that's why his name is all over the papers.

"What should have happened first is for Rio, the PFA and Manchester United to attend this hearing on Monday, let the FA listen to his explanation, and then take a course of action. They have not even given him any credit for the fact he tested negative 36 hours later. I think it is completely unfair to penalise Rio until he has had an opportunity to explain exactly what has happened. I have spoken to him and as you can imagine he's not best pleased."

A source close to the player said: "He did not fail or refuse to take a drugs test at any time. There was a routine drugs test at Manchester United's training ground a couple of weeks ago. He was moving house that day and rushed off after training and forgot all about the test.

"As soon as he realised his mistake he took another test within 48 hours and passed it."

It is believed that he offered to take a test later that day, but the testers were unable to return until two days time.

The Ferdinand case has thrown the spotlight on how drugs tests work in football. He probably would have been given just one hour's warning that he would be required to take a random drug test when the testers turned up at Manchester United's training ground.

Strict rules of procedure are laid down for the testers who are allowed to arrive unannounced at any club during match days or at a training session.

The tester will normally approach the club doctor or another official and be given a list of players. He will then choose which players often by pulling names out of a that will be tested that day.

The doctor is told the names and the news relayed to the players, either on the training pitch or as soon as they return to the dressing room. They are normally told they will be required to give a sample-within one hour, although players are allowed to have a shower or fulfil a media commitment before going to the designated doping control area.

A Premiership player said today: "In my experience the drugs unit turn up at the training ground while we're out training. When we come back in the club doctor or physiotherapist tells you you have been picked to give a sample.

"There is quite a bit of paperwork to go through and check, which drags on a bit, and you have to register.

"You also have to check the bottles to satisfy yourself that they are sealed and tamper-proof.

"There is an A and B sample. The B sample goes to a different laboratory to be analysed and doesn't have a name on it, just a number. Someone from the unit then accompanies you while you provide the sample - and that's it. When you are tested after a match there is someone with you all the time but when they turn up at the training ground, it isn't quite as stringent."