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Ferdinand
banned for eight months
Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has been banned for
eight months by an independent disciplinary commission for
missing a drugs test three months ago, ruling him out of EURO
2004.
Friday, 19 December 2003
The 25-year-old English international, who risked a ban of up
to two years, had been charged by the Football Association
with a "failure or refusal" to take the test at
United's training ground at Carrington on 23 September.
Ferdinand, who has 14 days to appeal, has denied using drugs
and passed a dope test 36 hours after he should have taken the
original one. The FA ruled him out of England's final EURO
2004 qualifier in Turkey on 11 October, sparking a protest by
his international team-mates, but allowed him to keep playing
for United.
Ferdinand was selected to take the test on 23 September by
representatives of UK Sport. However, he left United's
training ground without taking the test, but later attempted
to return, only to be told it was too late. He did take a test
the following day, which he passed.
Ferdinand began his career with West Ham United before joining
Leeds United for $25.7m in November 2000. After an impressive
World Cup in 2002, he moved to Manchester United for a British
record fee of $46.9m, and won his first major honour earlier
this year as he helped his new club overhaul Arsenal at the
top of the Premiership. -
UEFA.com
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