Ferdinand freedom defended by FA
LONDON, England -- The English FA have defended Manchester United's right to play Rio Ferdinand until his doping case is heard after FIFA president Sepp Blatter criticised the decision.
Blatter believes United's results in both the Premiership and Champions League could be challenged if the England international defender is found guilty of the charge of misconduct.
Ferdinand has played in 10 of United's 11 games since September 23 when he missed the drugs test at the club's training ground, but has been omitted by England.
United have picked up 15 of a possible 18 points in the Premier League and won three of their four Champions League matches.
Blatter plans to write "a very strong letter to the FA to ask for some explanations."
Ferdinand's two-day hearing does not start until December 18th, but English football's governing body maintain they have broken no laws.
"We will have to see what is included in his letter, but we are happy to speak to Mr Blatter at any time," FA spokesman Adrian Bevington told BBC Radio.
"I would make clear, though, that under the current procedures, and I believe this is commonplace around Europe, a player can continue playing for his club until a case is concluded.
"If the procedures have to be changed, under FIFA regulations, that's something we would have to give serious consideration too, obviously.
"But I'm not going to start speculating that United are going to lose points.
"Under our procedures, Manchester United are perfectly entitled to have been playing Rio Ferdinand until the case is concluded, as with any other disciplinary case."
United's chief executive David Gill said: "Mr. Blatter as head of FIFA is clearly at liberty to express his views but I would say that I don't believe they are particularly helpful at this time.
"We have chosen Rio quite rightly through this process as it unwinds. We're allowed to do that and until the rules are changed we can't be punished for just abiding by them.
"I think it would be very harsh and unacceptable to the FA, the FAPL (Premier League) and Manchester United to try and retrospectively change those rules."
Bevington, meanwhile, accepts that the FA's appeals procedure is slow.
"It's perfectly valid to point out that, as everyone is aware, the disciplinary procedures in this country are under serious review at the moment," he said.
English FA executive director David Davies admitted at the weekend that the current rules need updating.
"It would appear to somer of us the processes were not introduced for people who fail to turn up for tests and that clearly has to be put right," he said.
