Rio could be banned for 2 years...

[Rochester Seagull]

Ferdinand facing drug test inquiry
Press Association
Monday October 6, 2003 11:02 PM


Rio Ferdinand is at the centre of a drugs test controversy that could threaten his participation in England's Euro 2004 qualifier in Turkey.

The Manchester United defender has been reported to the Football Association for failing to attend a drugs test - a matter that carries a maximum two-year ban.

However, it is understood that Ferdinand insists that his failure to attend was just forgetfulness, and that he took and passed another drugs test within 48 hours.

 

[albiongirl]

Is that a 2 year ban for league or just international games??

 

[The Laughing Bluebird]

Is that a 2 year ban for league or just international games??

The 2 year ban would cover all competitive football.

 

[Dropkick Turnip]

Christ, it's not even newsworthy. But it's a story because:

a) It's about a Manure player

b) It involves drugs

c) There's an important international game at the weekend

Nothing will come of this and we'll all have forgotten about it in a week. Move along, people, there's nothing to see here.

 

[albiongirl]

massive blow for Man U and England

 

[dwayne]

It is newsworthy I think!!!

Players shouldn't be allowed to get away with doing things like that, it makesa farce of the drug testing. I hope he gets banned for 2 years and man u, in turn release him. He's been shite for England since the world cup anyway.

 

[Captain Sensible]

I don't rate Ferdinand or Campbell for that matter. Terry is class and an old Head like Southgate should be needed for a game like the one on Saturday.

 

[Rochester Seagull]

Christ, it's not even newsworthy. But it's a story because:

a) It's about a Manure player

b) It involves drugs

c) There's an important international game at the weekend

Move along, people, there's nothing to see here.

You haven't thought it through, his fellow team mates had the same test on the same day so how could he forget. The press see this as something to hide and I have to agree.

 

[The Laughing Bluebird]

Christ, it's not even newsworthy. But it's a story because:

a) It's about a Manure player

b) It involves drugs

c) There's an important international game at the weekend

Nothing will come of this and we'll all have forgotten about it in a week. Move along, people, there's nothing to see here.

That's what we were saying a couple of years ago when one of our players failed to attend a mandatory drugs test. Turned out that he was a cocaine dealer!

 

[Dropkick Turnip]

That's what we were saying a couple of years ago when one of our players failed to attend a mandatory drugs test. Turned out that he was a cocaine dealer!

Define cocaine dealer, please. If I come back from France with some spare cases of beer and sell you one am I a bootlegger?

 

[Dropkick Turnip]

The press see this as something to hide and I have to agree.

So he toots at the weekend. Big deal.

 

[The Laughing Bluebird]

Define cocaine dealer, please. If I come back from France with some spare cases of beer and sell you one am I a bootlegger?

In this particular case, I would define a cocaine dealer as a person who is currently on trial at Cardiff Crown Court for dealing cocaine.

 

[Rochester Seagull]

So he toots at the weekend. Big deal.

A very foolish comment.

 

[Dropkick Turnip]

In this particular case, I would define a cocaine dealer as a person who is currently on trial at Cardiff Crown Court for dealing cocaine.

Fair comment. Silly boy for throwing it all away. Just goes to show (yet again) that addiction can afflict even those with the greatest talents.

 

[Dropkick Turnip]

A very foolish comment.

So says you. Why?

 

[trueblue]

Christ, it's not even newsworthy. But it's a story because:

a) It's about a Manure player

b) It involves drugs

c) There's an important international game at the weekend

Nothing will come of this and we'll all have forgotten about it in a week. Move along, people, there's nothing to see here.

For somethings that's not newsworthy, it's making a hell of a lot of news!

 

[SiNZ]

It is newsworthy I think!!!

Players shouldn't be allowed to get away with doing things like that, it makesa farce of the drug testing. I hope he gets banned for 2 years and man u, in turn release him. He's been shite for England since the world cup anyway.

But has he actually done anything? The test he took 36 hours later was negative.

What is shocking is the lack of organisation by the FA and Manchester Utd. If they let a player leave without undergoing his test, how can they guarantee that other samples are taken from the correct donor.

 

[SiNZ]

You haven't thought it through, his fellow team mates had the same test on the same day so how could he forget. The press see this as something to hide and I have to agree.

That I didn't know. I thought it was one of those random drug tests and he was just picked. Was it one for the whole squad?

The key question then is whether 36 hours is enough time for a positive test result to become a negative test result. If so, then there is something to be concerned about. If not, it's an organisational cockup that the FA have to learn from.

 

[DTES]

I haven't seen that either, about the other players. If so, there's no excuse. You can say 2 years is ridiculous, but if you let him off, others who do cheat (this is assuming Rio didn't) can follow him. Tricky one.

btw - SiNZ: Classy spreadsheets. I'm a big fan. Just wish I had that much time on my hands...

 

[SiNZ]

btw - SiNZ: Classy spreadsheets. I'm a big fan. Just wish I had that much time on my hands...

Thanks Hants.

Apparently 442 give me a mention in this month's issue. I'm in Bangkok until next week, but can't wait to get back to NZ to find my copy. Could be a sentence, could be a paragraph.