PREMIUM --

Manchester United and England defender Rio Ferdinand, speaking at a press conference, at the Reebok Stadium, Bolton, after being banned for eight months, Friday 19th December 2003, for missing a drugs test. Ferdinand was also fined £50,000 for failing to turn up to the test on September 23. The punishment comes after a two-day Football Association disciplinary hearing into the charge of missing the drugs test. See PA Story SPORT Ferdinand. PA Photo : Phil Noble.