CYA

The FA have come under a lot of stick for their decision to withdraw Rio Ferdinand from the England squad for the crucial game against Turkey on Saturday after he failed to attend a random drugs test. While I can understand why people are angry at the FA, I think that they have (for once) made a sensible, if difficult, decision.

Consider this scenario: Ferdinand plays on Saturday, England get the result (a draw or a win) to qualify for Euro 2004, but later the decision is made to ban Ferdinand for not attending the test. The Turkish FA then call on UEFA to nullify the result of the match, given that England fielded a player who they knew to be in breach of the drug testing regulations (confirmed by the ban he receives). UEFA concur with the Turkish view, the result on the night is stricken from the books and Turkey instead qualify automatically with England sent to the playoffs, or perhaps even disqualified for the infraction.

It may not be the most likely scenario, but I feel it has to be a possibility the FA have considered and, knowing that their financial position means missing out on Euro 2004 would be a disaster, they've acted to prevent it from happening. Besides, with John Terry and Sol Campbell both fit, the loss of Ferdinand from the side isn't that damaging to the team. At least, not as damaging as the likely absence of Michael Owen will be.