Post by Taxigirl on Dec 9, 2003 9:48:24 GMT
Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand could be spared a lengthy ban for missing a drugs test at his FA hearing in Bolton next week.
The England star has been charged with failing or refusing to take a test at United's training ground on 23 September.
But reports have suggested Ferdinand later called doping officials to ask if he could go back to take the test, but was told he was too late - despite the fact the testers didn't leave until 25 minutes after his call.
If the reports are true, it would give Ferdinand's case a huge lift and mean he will almost certainly avoid the three-month ban that was expected.
The FA has been criticised in several quarters for the length of time it has taken them to deal with the 25-year-old's case.
England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson, who was unable to pick Ferdinand for the crucial Euro 2004 qualifier in Turkey, has slammed the FA for prolonging the situation.
He also revealed he thought the former West Ham and Leeds man should be banned if he was found guilty of deliberately missing the test.
Fifa president Sepp Blatter has continued to put across his side of the argument, claiming United should not have played Ferdinand while the case was on-going.
But he also accused the FA of wasting time when other associations deal with similar situations far quicker.
The hearing takes place at Bolton's Reebok Stadium on 18 and 19 December.