Rio Ferdinand has been dropped from the England team for Saturday's crucial Euro 2004 qualifier against Turkey, the FA said today.
The Manchester United defender failed to undergo a routine drugs test at his club's training ground on September 23rd. Ferdinand claims he missed the test because he was moving house.
Ferdinand, who 36 hours later passed a routine official FA test, must attend an interview next Monday to explain his failure to attend the initial test.
"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," the statement said.
"The disciplinary process will now run its course. In making the policy decision not to consider Rio Ferdinand for selection for the England squad to face Turkey, the FA is not making any judgement whatsoever regarding the player's future England career.
"Just as importantly, the FA is not pre-judging the outcome of any possible future disciplinary hearing."
England boss Sven Goran Eriksson said: "It's a pity for England as a team but it's a decision that's been taken and I have to accept it and respect it."
A player who fails or refuses to take a drugs test is considered to have committed a doping offence and could be suspended for up to two years, according to FA rules.
England play Turkey in Istanbul on Saturday needing only a draw to qualify automatically for next year's European Championship finals in Portugal.
ENGLAND:James (West Ham), Robinson (Leeds), Walker (Leicester); P Neville (Man Utd), G Neville (Man Utd), A Cole (Arsenal), Bridge (Chelsea), Mills (Leeds), Campbell (Arsenal), Terry (Chelsea), Upson (B'ham City); Beckham (Real Madrid), Lampard (Chelsea), J Cole (Chelsea), Hargreaves (Bayern Munich), Butt (Man Utd), Dyer (Newcastle), Gerrard (Liverpool), Scholes (Man Utd); Owen (Liverpool), Heskey (Liverpool), Beattie (Southampton), Rooney (Everton).