RIO STUFF

“I am absolutely devastated by this situation and I want to
take this opportunity to categorically state that I have
never used drugs or condoned the use of drugs in sport or in
society. I have been routinely tested like all players
throughout my career and the results have always been the
same: negative, like the most recent test.

“The biggest disappointment is not being picked for England
for a game which is so important not only to myself, but
also the team and the England fans. I have worked hard from
a young age to get where I am and to be left out of the
squad at this crucial stage is devastating. I would like to
express my gratitude for all the support I am getting from
my family and friends, Sir Alex and everyone else at
Manchester United and the PFA.”

Statement from Manchester United:

“Manchester United notes the statement made today by the
Football Association regarding Rio Ferdinand.

“The Club would like to point out that Manchester United was
first approached on the matter by the FA last weekend when
Club officials were invited to attend a meeting on the
Sunday afternoon to discuss the situation.

“At no point since then has Manchester United agreed with
the approach the FA has taken to the matter, nor has it
supported the FA’s decision regarding Rio’s non-selection
for the England squad.

“It was not until Monday, 6th October that documentation was
received by the Club regarding the notification of Rio’s
need to attend a personal interview with the FA on Monday,
13th October. As of today, Rio has still not been charged
with an offence, and precedent suggests that he should
continue to be available to represent England until at least
a disciplinary finding has been made against him by the FA.

“Manchester United believes the FA’s actions have seriously
compromised the player’s confidentiality. The publicity
generated by the FA’s actions has put unfair pressure on Rio
in what should have a remained a strictly confidential
matter.”

David Gill:

“The Club is deeply troubled by the FA’s handling of the
situation and believes it is at variance with the FA’s
approach to all other drugs-related cases. We think the FA’s
decision not to select Rio for England is wrong for the
player and wrong for the country. As a consequence, we will
be vigorously pursuing our concerns about the matter in due
course.”

Gordon Taylor from the PFA (pity Eric didn’t get this level
of support in 1995):

“I feel the FA have totally breached their own rules which
say there is to be no disclosure of a player's identity
until there has been a clear proof of guilt and a punishment
has been imposed.

“I was given the impression on Sunday night that the FA had
made their minds up about not to select him for the England
squad, and I find that disgraceful.

“They will claim that England is a separate issue but there
has never been an interim suspension before a hearing. They
have virtually identified him - that's why his name is all
over the papers.

“What should have happened first is for Rio, the PFA and
Manchester United to attend this hearing on Monday, let the
FA listen to his explanation, and then take a course of
action.

“They have not even given him any credit for the fact he
tested negative 36 hours later. He has been named and shamed
and there has not even been a positive test. I think it is
completely unfair to penalise Rio until he has had an
opportunity to explain exactly what has happened.

“I have spoken to him and as you can imagine he's not best
pleased. Manchester United are not either - one of their
biggest assets has been named and shamed completely contrary
to the FA's own code of practice.

“They knew how the club would feel and how the players would
feel. They've made the manager pick a squad he is not
necessarily happy with. These players don't play for England
for money, it's a pure honour and it means a lot to them.
It's not just Rio who is disappointed, it's the rest of the
team.

“They feel badly about it, I can't say any more than that.
I'm not going to prejudge it. The FA have prejudged that Rio
Ferdinand would be guilty as charged before we've even
started a meeting. I'm not going to predict how this will
end up.

“They've got trouble in the camp and I can understand that
they want to try and stick together. The players have got
together and made their feelings known in meetings.
Everybody was looking forward to the Turkey game, including
Rio Ferdinand, but he isn't now. Don't ask me about the
problems the FA have caused, ask the FA.

“I can see why supporters think this has been messed up when
it needn't have been. The FA have got themselves into this
mess, now they have to get themselves out of it.”

Sven:

“It's a pity for England as a team - but it's a decision
that's been taken and I have to accept it and respect it.
I'm very sorry that we can't do it (play Ferdinand). I'm a
football manager and of course I always want the best team.
But on this occasion with Rio it's not possible.

“I've been told and I have to accept that. Of course it's
not the best timing - I agree 100% but we have to handle it
and from 4pm try to be focused on football and Turkey. It's
very important to know that my role is to be a coach and
when things like this happen there are other people who must
make decisions what to do - and I have to accept that.

“I can't put myself up against other people and opinions in
this country. I've spoken to some of the players and will
speak to all of them at 4pm. We have certain
responsibilities in football to follow the rules and I
should very much like to have Rio in Turkey because we need
him - but that's a football opinion.

“I have to accept the orders, in this case from (FA chief
executive) Mark Palios - and he's made that decision by
himself I guess.”

When asked whether United threatened to pull out all of
their players from the squad, Sven said:

"I cannot confirm that Manchester United were prepared to do
that but what I can say is that I am glad that they have not
because that would have made the situation a whole lot
worse.”

Paul Barber, the FA's director of marketing and
communications, told the FA's website:

“Following today's announcement we have had a couple of
meetings with senior players as well as the Manchester
United players. These were very amicable discussions. The
players obviously wanted to express their opinions and views
on what has happened. We were very happy to listen.

“They also listened to our explanation of what has happened
and the reasons behind it. At no time - and David Beckham
has asked me to make this clear - did any of the players at
that meeting threaten to walk out of the squad. The meeting
was deliberately set up to be a private meeting and will
remain that way.”

Turkey striker Hakan Sukur:

"Ferdy is very dangerous in the air, almost impossible to
beat when on form. Without him in the England team we are
much more comfortable. I will play even with a broken leg."

Turkey's technical director Can Cobanoglu:

"If Ferdinand played there would have been some problems.
"We are much more relaxed now. This gives us great pleasure.
Rio is a very important player for the English team and we
know he is the world's most expensive defender.

"He is one of the key motivators for England during games.
If a player rejected a drug's test here, then first our
public would reject him, even before the football
authorities do. The Turkish public don't like to use drugs.
That is a very important point because it is our culture.

"If players use drugs, then the Turkish team will also turn
on him. There would be no way back for him into the national
team."

Dick Pound, the World Anti-Doping Agency chief:

"You have to have a compelling reason to have failed to take
a test. Forgetting is not compelling, nor is moving house.
When you get to that level, everyone is aware of the
importance of doping tests and no-notice tests.”

And that’s your lot. Phew!