FERDINAND PHONE PEST

Last updated : 14 June 2004 By editor

Rio Ferdinand received an amazing snub by Mark Palios when he tried to beg the FA chief executive to let him participate in the European Championships. The £30million Manchester United star made "up to 20" calls to Palios' offices in Soho Square and was ready to accept a long club ban as long as he could play in Portugal. Palios ignored the calls and never even spoke to Ferdinand. Now England face France with their sixth-choice centre-half, Ledley King, with the rest of European football amazed by the treatment of Ferdinand.

Nice to see yet further confirmation of where his priorities lie.