Eriksson supports Rio ban

FA set date for Ferdinand Blatter hits out at FA

England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson believes Rio Ferdinand should have been suspended for missing a drugs test.

And the Swede has criticised the Football Association's disciplinary procedures for taking "too long".

Fifa president Sepp Blatter has criticised the FA for allowing the Manchester United defender to continue playing until the case is heard.

"Sepp Blatter is right in one respect, you miss a drug test and you are banned," Eriksson is quoted as saying.

"The Rio Ferdinand situation has been going on for 10 weeks, it is far too long.

"It is the system that is wrong but I think it will be changed now. It is no good for the game, it is no good for the player."

FA answers Blatter criticism

Ferdinand will appear before an FA disciplinary hearing at Bolton's Reebok Stadium on 18 December to answer charges of failing to take the test in September.

He insists he simply forgot to give a sample after training.

Eriksson also pointed to the disciplinary procedure for Chelsea's Joe Cole, who waited eight months to be banned for a misconduct charge incurred while playing for West Ham.

Sven is certainly entitled to his opinion on the disciplinary process The FA's Adrian Bevington

"Look at Joe Cole," Eriksson told the Sunday Mirror and News of the World.

"He's just been banned for something that happened last April.

"He was a West Ham player but now Chelsea are being punished.

"In Italy punishments are dealt with swiftly. If a player gets a red card he is sentenced on the Tuesday. If he requests a personal hearing it's dealt with in Milan on the Thursday."

FA spokesman Adrian Bevington played down Eriksson's reported comments, insisting the England coach was entitled to his opinion on the disciplinary process.

"Sven has made his views very clear publicly over the past few weeks and it isn't a direct criticism of anyone at the FA," Bevington told Radio Five Live.

"He believes very strongly that the process should be speeded up.

"I have had many conversations with Sven about this and in my view he isn't saying Rio should face a lengthy ban," Bevington added.

"He is saying his case should be dealt with a lot quicker and players shouldn't have to go three months, playing on, before the case is dealt with."

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