CHARACTER WITNESS

Last updated : 11 November 2003 By ediotr

Sven-Goran Eriksson will act as a character witness for Rio Ferdinand if called upon in the defender's Football Association disciplinary hearing into his missed drugs test. Eriksson has stood by his centre-back throughout the controversy but admits he has no idea whether Ferdinand will be available for next summer's Euro 2004 finals.

He said:
"I really hope we have him. I hope that this story has ended by then, but that's above my head. I have absolutely no idea what is going to happen. He is one of the best central defenders in the world right now. He and Sol Campbell were, I guess, the best defensive partnership in the whole World Cup last year - and they are still young. It was a pity not to have him against Turkey and it's a pity again now. But I can't do anything about that. It's a fact, and that's it.”

"If I'm called as a character witness - I have no idea if that's possible or not - but, of course, I can tell anyone what I know about Rio Ferdinand. I don't think it's a secret that he is important for Manchester United and England if he's fit."