Sport 19-12-2003 Rio Drug Test Hearing: Day 1 who: Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand what: Could hear his fate by the end of the day as hearing continues where: Reebok Stadium, BOLTON when: Today snippet: "FA chief Mark Palios fears his own job is on the line as Rio Ferdinand fights for his career today," says The Mirror. "Ferdinand will explain his missed drugs test to the second day of the disciplinary hearing at Bolton, but Palios could become a victim too." "A long, slow day for the Football Association`s disciplinary commissioners, the FA prosecuting team and their legal opponents from United began with an early-morning journey to the scene of the `crime` - United`s Carrington training camp," says The Telegraph. "Talking concluded just before 6pm with a promise to reconvene at 9am today." Yesterday, Ferdinand`s QC Ron Thwaites told the hearing at the Reebok Stadium that he would not have missed a drug test on September 23rd but for four "blunders" by UK Sport officials. The Sun explains that the testers 1) failed to prevent Rio from driving away; 2) never contacted him directly; 3) refused to test him even though at least one tester was still there until 25 minutes after he called to explain that he had forgotten; and finally 4) the testers were part-timers who were paid just £50. "It is the biggest test of Palios` already stormy reign and he has staked his reputation on toughening up the FA`s disciplinary process," continues The Mirror`s report. "Palios admits that the FA desperately need to improve the whole process and they have now appointed former PFA deputy chief Brendan Batson to carry out a full review." [... more]

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