SCAPEGOAT

Last updated : 21 March 2004 By Editor

"I can't believe what the FA have done to me.

"I've always accepted that I missed the test. But I think most people now realise it was a genuine mistake, even those at the FA.

"So why do they find it necessary to push for such a harsh punishment?

"They know I didn't take drugs. The Appeal Board even made a point of saying so.
"There are people who work for or represent the FA around the England scene who I thought were friends. And they just didn't want to know me once this whole drug-test problem started.

"They were only too pleased to have a laugh and a joke in the good times. But when it went wrong for me they hid themselves away.

"I just don't understand that. I am not going to name names but I think they know who they are.

"And if - or when - I'm picked for England again I am going to find it very hard to shake the hands of certain people when they walk along the players before the national anthems.''