Manchester United star Rio Ferdinand said he was "absolutely devastated" after being left off England's squad for the crucial Euro 2004 qualifier against Turkey because he failed to take a random drug test.
Ferdinand, the world's most expensive defender, was summoned to a Football Association hearing next Monday to explain why he missed a routine doping control at Manchester United's training ground last month.
If found guilty of a doping offense, Ferdinand could face a ban of up to two years.
The FA said it would be "inappropriate" for Ferdinand to play against Turkey on Saturday and ruled him ineligible for selection by coach Sven-Goran Eriksson.
"I am absolutely devastated by this situation," Ferdinand said in a statement Tuesday evening. "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."
Manchester United sharply criticized the FA's handling of the case and hinted it could pursue legal action. The uncertainty over Ferdinand's status prompted Eriksson to postpone the naming of his squad from Sunday until early Tuesday afternoon.
Ferdinand, a 24-year-old central defender who is normally an automatic starter, was left off the 24-man list.
"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," Ferdinand said. "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."
FA spokesman Paul Barber said Ferdinand was one of four Manchester United players selected at random for drug tests conducted by UK Sport on Sept. 23.
Ferdinand failed to provide a sample, violating the FA's anti-doping rules and triggering a disciplinary case, Barber said.
The FA contacted Ferdinand by letter last Friday and has had discussions with the player, Manchester United officials and the Professional Footballers' Association, he said.
"Given the seriousness with which the FA views breaches of its doping control regulations, the imminent England squad announcement and the importance of Saturday's match, the FA has concluded that it is inappropriate for Rio Ferdinand to be available for selection for England at this time," Barber said, reading a statement at a news conference.
Barber said the disciplinary process would proceed without the FA "making any judgment whatsoever."
Eriksson said he was "very, very sorry" that he couldn't select Ferdinand.
"I'm a football manager and I always want the best team," he said. "It's a pity for England as a team, of course. It's a decision that's been taken. I have to respect it and accept it."
Manchester United issued a statement accusing the FA of breaching confidentiality rules.
"As of today, Rio has still not been charged with an offense, 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," a club statement said.
Manchester United chief executive David Gill added: "The club is deeply troubled by the FA's handling of the situation and believes it at variance with the FA's approach to all other drugs-related cases.
"We think the FA's decision not to select Rio is wrong for the player and wrong for the country."
In a veiled threat of possible legal action, Gill said, "We will be vigorously pursuing our concerns about the matter in due course."
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