‘Last night the waters over the whole affair were muddied
yet further. An inside source said: “It is a crucial that
Rio called a full 25 minutes before the testers left.
‘“He was in the middle of Manchester and could have got back
to the training ground before the drug-testers packed up.
‘“But, apparently, he was told he was too late.”
‘The testers are obliged to wait two hours from the time
that a check is due to take place. After that, they are
forced to make an official ruling that it has not been
carried out.
‘Yet it has emerged that Ferdinand was never given a start
time for his test and his legal team contend that he could
have complied with the regulations — had he only been given
the chance.
'Even Soho Square top brass have already admitted their rules
are not tight enough.’