Neville reveals England fury

Neville says Manchester United will stand by Ferdinand

Gary Neville says the England players are still upset by the treatment of Rio Ferdinand before the vital Euro 2004 qualifier against Turkey.

Ferdinand was dropped for October's game in Istanbul after failing to take a random drugs test.

The move almost led to a strike by the rest of the England players, who felt Ferdinand had been let down.

"We didn't like what had happened to him and still don't like what has happened to him," said Neville.

The Manchester United defender also revealed that the England players had come closer than first thought to pulling out of the match against Turkey because of the handling of Ferdinand.

"It was pretty close, " said Neville. "It was just frustrating for us.

"We just did what we felt was right. Probably the best thing that happened was we made the point, because it showed we had something about us.

I think everyone, no matter what your position was, must have been shocked when that eight-month ban came out Gary Neville

"There definitely were thoughts in my head that it (the game) would not go ahead. It was such an injustice - they could have done it to any of us next time."

Ferdinand was subsequently handed an eight-month ban, which is due to start on 12 January, though he may yet appeal against the severity of his penalty.

Neville said his United team-mates and manager Sir Alex Ferguson would stand by Ferdinand no matter what the outcome.

"Rio has been fantastic right the way through it. We all have personal problems but as soon as you get out there on the pitch you forget about it," Neville told MUTV.

"He will always get support from his team-mates and his club. The manager here will never hang a player out to dry. We would always back a team-mate no matter what they did.

He should put his money where his mouth is and boycott the England squad From Darius Qael Have your say on 606

"It has brought the dressing room closer. When that sentence was read out I think everybody was in a position of disbelief.

"I think everyone, no matter what your position was, must have been shocked when that eight-month ban came out. I couldn't believe it.

"We feel for Rio because, while he made a mistake, we don't think he should be missing matches.

"We are human beings, not robots."