Rio Ferdinand described his `absolute devastation' tonight at being dropped from England's crucial Euro 2004 qualifier, as he denied ever using drugs.
Britain's most expensive soccer player was left out of the squad by the Football Association for Saturday's match against Turkey after missing a drugs test.
His club Manchester United and the Professional Footballers' Association strongly criticised the FA, while England head coach Sven-Goran Eriksson said it was a "pity" for the team.
The troubles came amid a storm of controversy surrounding Premiership football.
Of the developments relating to Ferdinand, the FA said it would be "inappropriate" for the 24-year-old defender to travel to Istanbul with the England squad.
Manchester United said it went against precedent and the decision was "wrong for the player and wrong for the country".
Ferdinand said in a statement released by United: "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."
Ferdinand is said to have forgotten to give a sample after a club training session. He took the test 36 hours later and passed.
The decision will be seen as a serious setback to the team's hopes of progressing to the Euro 2004 finals in Portugal.
Ferdinand, who cost United £30 million and earns £100,000 a week, is normally a lynchpin of the defence.
The FA said it was not making any judgment regarding the player's future England career, nor about any possible disciplinary hearing.
Ferdinand was one of four United players randomly selected to provide a sample for a routine test by UK Sport doping control officers on September 23.
"Under the FA's doping control regulations, `the failure or refusal by a player to submit to a drug test as required by a competent official' amounts to a breach of FA Rule E26 ... and this may lead to disciplinary sanctions for misconduct," the statement said.
Ferdinand will be interviewed next week. In some circumstances failing to attend a drugs test carries a maximum two-year ban.