SOCCER NEWS: Rio Ferdinand was last night at the centre of a drugs dispute between the Football Association and Manchester United.The dispute, over Ferdinand's failure to provide a sample during a random test at Manchester United's training ground two weeks ago, yesterday led to the naming of England's squad for Saturday's crucial match in Turkey being delayed.
According to his agent, Ferdinand provided a sample four days later and that tested negative. But some FA officials are understood to have wanted to exclude him from the England squad to stress the FA's commitment to fighting the use of drugs.
A source at Manchester United said the club was "furious" and threatened legal action: "The lawyers will get involved. I can tell you categorically that Rio Ferdinand has not failed a drugs test, it is a procedural matter at the FA."
The FA declined to comment on the allegations, which emerged after the naming of the squad for the Euro 2004 qualifying match in Istanbul was delayed for the second time in 24 hours.
The names will be announced at 2 p.m. today, the same time the squad is due to meet at the St Alban's training base. It is not known if Ferdinand will be named among Sven Goran Eriksson's 22, but a source at the World Anti-Doping Agency said he should be treated as if he had failed: "The failure to supply a test is in our eyes the same as failing one." The row will embarrass the FA and could derail England's preparation for a match they must not lose if they are to reach the Euro 2004 finals.
Gerard Houllier has expressed fears that Sven-Goran Eriksson is abusing his position as England coach by using international get-togethers to line up Liverpool players for transfers to Chelsea.
The Frenchman admitted he had phoned Eriksson during the summer, alarmed at stories linking Steven Gerrard with a world-record £50 million transfer to Stamford Bridge only 48 hours after the Swede was photographed arriving at the London flat of the Chelsea owner, Roman Abramovich.
When asked if he was nervous about releasing his players to join the England squad before Saturday's Euro 2004 qualifier with Turkey, Houllier agreed and echoed fears held privately by other managers aware of persistent rumours that the Swede could soon become a rival coach in the Premiership.
Peter Reid will not quit Leeds United after settling his differences with the chairman, John McKenzie, and receiving assurances that he will be given time to transform the club's fortunes.
Reid met with McKenzie yesterday after raising concerns about his recent treatment at Elland Road. "I've had a chat with the chairman and I'm happy to carry on . . . quitting is not in my nature. I have impressed upon the chairman that whenever club business like this is done in future, it should be carried out in private," he said.
Bohemians and St Patrick's Athletic have been refused permission to postpone their respective league games against Shelbourne and Longford Town scheduled to take place less than 48 hours after the two meet in tomorrow's cup semi-final replay at Richmond Park.
League officials made it clear yesterday the decision to play the replay on Wednesday rather than Tuesday had been the FAI's and that, while they sympathise with the clubs, the prospect of serious fixture congestion has forced them to proceed with Friday night's games.
Both clubs are likely to contest the decision.
