Rio Ferdinand's eight-month suspension from football for failing to take a drugs test is a "very draconian" punishment, players' football association boss Gordon Taylor said tonight.
Manchester United's England defender has been ruled out of the remainder of the domestic season as well as next summer's Euro 2004 campaign following tonight's Football Association ruling.
Taylor believes Ferdinand deserved the "benefit of the doubt."
"We knew there would have to be a penalty. But an eight-month ban and £50,000 fine is, I feel, very draconian," Taylor told BBC Radio 5 Live.
"I felt there was every opportunity for the FA to give him the benefit of the doubt.
"There had to be a penalty, bearing in mind the world pressure but he has not been given the benefit of the doubt, quite clearly."
PA