RIO STILL WAITING
Monday 13th October 2003
Rio Ferdinand is still waiting for a decision over his future after PFA chief executive Gordon Taylor confirmed the process is ongoing with regards to his failure to undertake a random drugs test.
Taylor spoke to reporters after the Manchester United defender declined to comment with Old Trafford lawyer Maurice Watkins and FA representative Steve Barrow also relatively tight-lipped on the lengthy meeting in Manchester.
"The atmosphere was cordial," disclosed Taylor. "It's the interview process. It was a chat.
"I was happy with the way it was conducted. He was given every opportunity to give a full and detailed explanation.
"I would expect a decision, I would hope, probably in a few days, maybe seven days.
"I would hope so because it's been the centre of attention for too long and could be dealt with as efficiently as possible.
"Evidence was discussed and considered. We are where we are and that's an issue we've got to address.
"We attempt to retain confidentiality until the process is followed, and that due process began today, and The FA are aware of that.
"We are where we are. The game is so high profile, it's very difficult to retain confidentiality but, once the decision was taken to leave him out of the England squad, it was inevitable he would be named.
"I hope that is borne in mind when consideration is made of what Rio has to say as I, for one, know he has already faced a penalty.
"His name was castigated all over the world, on the front page of newspapers, and he was condemned for drugs when he made his stance very clear. He's never touched drugs and does a lot of work in inner city areas and speaks to youngsters about the dangers of drugs, and he did repeat that today.
"It (the meeting) didn't take that long. It was about two hours and a statement needs to be made.
"Because, in the initial stage, people have to be very careful about the words they use (it's dragged on)."
Taylor made it clear that Ferdinand is fully aware of the severity of the issue he finds himself embroiled in.
"Rio's mood is he understands the problems causde by him not taking the tests as required at that time and reiterated his attempts to get the tests done in the same day," he added.
"He's certainly taking it seriously now and took it seriously the minute he remembered and made every attempt to get tested that day.
"Of course, they want to see evidence in terms of phone calls etc."
Watkins, the legal man for United, did say he expected a decision to be made "shortly", and said he felt pleased with the way the talks were progressing.
United did later issue a statement on Ferdinand's behalf, which briefly outlined the nature of the discussions.
"In accordance with the FA procedures and timetable, I participated today in an FA interview and provided the association with a full and detailed explanation of my failure to take a random test on September 23," it read.
"My explanation dealt with a number of issues, including the reasons why I failed to attend the test and my attempts to rectify the situation with a test the same day.
"I also reiterated my condemnation of drugs in sport."
The FA have refused to comment at this moment in time.
