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England defender Rio Ferdinand is at the centre of a drugs row after failing to take a routine dope test.
The Manchester United star did take and pass a re-arranged test but the Football Association have called him to an interview to explain his non-appearance.
The controversy may force Ferdinand to miss England's crucial European Championship qualifying match in Turkey this weekend.
England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson twice delayed naming his squad for the game.
It was thought the delay was due to questions over the fitness of Michael Owen who was injured in Liverpool's weekend clash with Arsenal.
But it has since emerged that Ferdinand has been reported to the FA for failing to attend the test.
It could result in a maximum two-year ban.
Manchester United issued a statement confirming it had received "written notification that Rio Ferdinand did not attend a routine official Football Association drugs test on 23rd September 2003."
It said: "The player has not been charged with any offence, but has been asked to attend a personal interview on Monday 13 October to explain the reasons behind his non attendance.
"Rio will have had no opportunity to outline his position before this interview.
"The player underwent a routine official FA drugs test 36 hours later on 25th September and this was negative."
Ferdinand insisted the failure to attend was due to forgetfulness.
The FA is expected to announce the England squad at 1pm when it will be known whether or not Ferdinand has been selected.
"He did not fail or refuse to take a drugs test at any time," a source said.
"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."
The FA now have to go through a process and decide whether the failure to take the test was deliberate and then charge him or accept his explanation and take no action.
Their immediate problem lies over whether calling him up for Saturday's fixture would be inappropriate given the seriousness with which they treat all cases of this nature.
Ferdinand would also face intense scrutiny in the build-up to the game which holds the key to England's participation in the Euro 2004 finals.
Leaving him out, however, could leave them open to accusations that he has been unfairly treated.
If he is omitted, it is expected that Chelsea's John Terry will partner Sol Campbell in the centre of England's defence.
The Manchester United star did take and pass a re-arranged test but the Football Association have called him to an interview to explain his non-appearance.
The controversy may force Ferdinand to miss England's crucial European Championship qualifying match in Turkey this weekend.
England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson twice delayed naming his squad for the game.
It was thought the delay was due to questions over the fitness of Michael Owen who was injured in Liverpool's weekend clash with Arsenal.
But it has since emerged that Ferdinand has been reported to the FA for failing to attend the test.
It could result in a maximum two-year ban.
Manchester United issued a statement confirming it had received "written notification that Rio Ferdinand did not attend a routine official Football Association drugs test on 23rd September 2003."
It said: "The player has not been charged with any offence, but has been asked to attend a personal interview on Monday 13 October to explain the reasons behind his non attendance.
"Rio will have had no opportunity to outline his position before this interview.
"The player underwent a routine official FA drugs test 36 hours later on 25th September and this was negative."
Ferdinand insisted the failure to attend was due to forgetfulness.
The FA is expected to announce the England squad at 1pm when it will be known whether or not Ferdinand has been selected.
"He did not fail or refuse to take a drugs test at any time," a source said.
"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."
The FA now have to go through a process and decide whether the failure to take the test was deliberate and then charge him or accept his explanation and take no action.
Their immediate problem lies over whether calling him up for Saturday's fixture would be inappropriate given the seriousness with which they treat all cases of this nature.
Ferdinand would also face intense scrutiny in the build-up to the game which holds the key to England's participation in the Euro 2004 finals.
Leaving him out, however, could leave them open to accusations that he has been unfairly treated.
If he is omitted, it is expected that Chelsea's John Terry will partner Sol Campbell in the centre of England's defence.
