DOPEY RIO SHOWS HIS TRUE COLOURS?

The Mirror reports:

Rio Ferdinand will urge Manchester United not to appeal if he is banned by the FA for failing to take a random drugs test.

In a shock new twist to the long-running saga, Ferdinand fears any appeal could drag out the episode even longer and jeopardise his chances of playing at Euro 2004.

The FA are likely to ban Ferdinand for around three months if he is found guilty following the two-day hearing at Bolton's Reebok Stadium tomorrow and Friday.
But an appeal would delay the start of any suspension, leaving Ferdinand desperately short of games and match fitness in the build-up to England's opening Euro 2004 game against France.

Ferdinand is so desperate to play at Euro 2004 he and his advisers have weighed up the situation and are ready to accept a ban, providing it is not excessive, even though they maintain his innocence.

But that stance is in direct conflict with United, who are understood to have already decided to launch an appeal should they lose their £30million star to a lengthy ban.

Although defender Wes Brown is almost back to full fitness and ready to return to action after seven months out injured, United are determined to fight all the way for Ferdinand.

United officials feel a fine is a suitable punishment for what they have maintained is an "honest mistake" by Ferdinand in missing the test at the club's training ground on September 23.

They accept Ferdinand is at fault but will vigorously contest any ban, claiming he has been made an example of simply because of his high profile.

The Sun (home to Rio’s own column of course) agree on one aspect of the Mirror’s story, suggesting there is something to it:

Manchester United have been rocked by an internal split over Rio Ferdinand. SunSport understands the football side of the club want to fight any ban imposed on their star defender for forgetting his drug test.

However, there is a body of opinion with the plc which feels United should take it on the chin if Ferdinand receives a short suspension at his hearing, which starts tomorrow.

Solicitor and director Maurice Watkins is caught in the middle as he represents Ferdinand and the club.

United were responsible to ensure the player was available for a test. But one of the arguments is that there was a breakdown in communication.

So if the Mirror’s story is correct, we have a player whose absentmindedness has brought all this hassle on the club, who will no doubt expect to be paid during any period he might be banned for, but who is reluctant for United to appeal against said ban in case it means he misses games for f**king England.

Despite all the backing he’s received from United over this, how nice to know he’s got his priorities straight.

Meanwhile Sepp Blatter has said in the Financial Times:

"Surely, if we condemn a player who has either refused or miraculously forgotten to take a drug test, it is not FIFA that is at fault, but those directly responsible for this inexcusable omission and its aftermath.

"That is the individual himself, his club and the FA, which has not swiftly enforced the laws on the suspension of players that ought to be applied.

"If FIFA sees this sort of thing happening, it is its duty to intervene. It is the only way to make sure that the law is the same for everyone, rich and poor. FIFA cannot accept different strokes for different folks.

"If this type of behaviour persists we may well consider promulgating a law to impose a lifetime ban on any player caught taking performance-enhancing drugs and relegation on his club. If clubs can't control their players, who can?"