Ferdinand finally set for hearing
LONDON, England -- England defender Rio Ferdinand finally faces a Football Association hearing on Thursday following his missed drugs test in September.
In a case that has attracted the attention of world governing body FIFA and the World Anti-Doping Agency, the Manchester United star could be suspended for two years if found guilty.
Ferdinand claims he forgot about the test because he was preoccupied with a move to a new home. He passed a drugs test two days later.
The FA only charged Ferdinand with "failure or refusal" to take a test five weeks later. Since then he has been allowed to play for Manchester United, but not for England.
That decision has been criticized by FIFA president Sepp Blatter who says the case should have been cleared up within a few days -- and that Ferdinand should not have been allowed to play while it was pending.
On Wednesday Blatter threatened to intervene if FIFA felt the FA had not dealt adequately with the case. (Full Story)
But Professional Footballers' Association Gordon Taylor insists Ferdinand is being made a scapegoat for an "honest mistake."
"It's open season on football these days and it is hard for justice to be done," said Taylor.
"There is a band wagon rolling and a lynch mob mentality. This has become a test case between the FA and the biggest club in the world."
