Manchester United and England defender Rio Ferdinand.
Rio Ferdinand statement
Wednesday, 29 October 2003.
The FA has today charged Rio Ferdinand with misconduct for a breach of FA Rule E26, with reference to Regulation 1(c) of The FA Doping Control Regulations...
Regulation 1(c) refers to "the failure or refusal by a player to submit to drug testing as required by a competent official".
The charge relates to the selection of Rio Ferdinand to submit to out-of-competition testing on 23 September 2003 as part of The FA's Doping Control Programme.
Rio Ferdinand has 14 days to respond to the charge.
Note: FA Rule E26 states that: "A Participant shall comply with the provisions of any doping control regulations as shall be in force from time to time as determined by the Council."