Post by I N F O on Oct 8, 2003 8:10:46 GMT
The England squad have reportedly held a dramatic strike ballot in support of axed defender Rio Ferdinand.
The players are said to be furious at the decision to drop Ferdinand for the vital Euro 2004 qualifier in Istanbul as he has yet to be charged for failing to take a drugs test last month.
Senior England players met with FA chief executive Mark Palios on Tuesday afternoon to put their case to reinstate Ferdinand ahead of the game.
Following the discussions, during which the FA made it clear they were to stand by their choice not to play the former West Ham defender, the entire squad allegedly voted to take strike action in a bid to reverse the decision.
The FA's director of communications and marketing Paul Barber did confirm that talks had taken place between senior officials and the players, but attempted to play down talk of a boycott.
“These were very amicable discussions,” insisted Barber.
”The players wanted to express their opinions. We were very happy to listen.
“They also listened to our explanation and the reasons behind it.
”At no time - and David Beckham has asked me to make this clear - did any of the players at that meeting threaten to walk out of the squad.
”The meeting was deliberately set up to be a private meeting and will remain that way.”
Discussions between the two parties after set to continue on Wednesday, but the whole affair has thrown England's build-up plans for the tie in Turkey into disarray
The players are said to be furious at the decision to drop Ferdinand for the vital Euro 2004 qualifier in Istanbul as he has yet to be charged for failing to take a drugs test last month.
Senior England players met with FA chief executive Mark Palios on Tuesday afternoon to put their case to reinstate Ferdinand ahead of the game.
Following the discussions, during which the FA made it clear they were to stand by their choice not to play the former West Ham defender, the entire squad allegedly voted to take strike action in a bid to reverse the decision.
The FA's director of communications and marketing Paul Barber did confirm that talks had taken place between senior officials and the players, but attempted to play down talk of a boycott.
“These were very amicable discussions,” insisted Barber.
”The players wanted to express their opinions. We were very happy to listen.
“They also listened to our explanation and the reasons behind it.
”At no time - and David Beckham has asked me to make this clear - did any of the players at that meeting threaten to walk out of the squad.
”The meeting was deliberately set up to be a private meeting and will remain that way.”
Discussions between the two parties after set to continue on Wednesday, but the whole affair has thrown England's build-up plans for the tie in Turkey into disarray