The Guardian report:
‘Rio Ferdinand faces possible disciplinary measures from Manchester United after he was apparently photographed leaving a London nightclub at 4am yesterday while on "compassionate leave" after the death of his grandmother.
‘Ferdinand had been given special permission to stay at home when the rest of Sir Alex Ferguson's squad flew to the Czech Republic for last night's Champions League tie against Sparta Prague so he could attend his grandmother's funeral, which took place yesterday. United officials were dismayed, therefore when they started receiving calls from tabloid journalists informing them that Ferdinand had spend Monday night in the West End at the Embassy nightclub.
‘It will also do little to endear the defender to United's fans, not all of whom thought him blameless for the missed drug test and have been critical of Ferdinand's glitzy lifestyle and frequent return visits to London.
‘Ferguson had spoken at length on Monday about the importance of Ferdinand preparing well for matches and said that he would benefit from having a couple of days off, but it is fair to assume he did not imagine the 25-year-old would be seen leaving the Embassy by the London paparazzi.’