RIO HAS TO WAIT

The FA's compliance unit will spend tomorrow studying the evidence and though they could announce charges on Wednesday, with United playing Rangers in the Champions League that night they will wait until at least the following day before making any announcement.

Ferdinand is certain to face at least one charge of failing to attend an anti-doping test and the FA will have to decide whether there is enough evidence to charge him with `wilful' or deliberate failure to attend the drugs test on September 23. That is a more severe charge and would carry a certain ban.

The FA have been frustrated by the delay in receiving the phone records, which were published in two Sunday newspapers.

It is now apparent his mobile phone was switched on during the afternoon of September 23 and raises questions as to why he did not respond sooner to messages from United telling him he had missed the test.

Ferdinand will hope the records support his claims that he did contact the FA once he realised he had forgotten the appointment.

According to reports, Ferdinand finally spoke to United's club doctor Mike Stone more than an hour and a half after leaving the training ground and immediately rang the FA.

Before that he had sent a text to Patrick O'Reilly of the Highfield Medical Association in Stockport, who had been treating him for a kidney infection.