Manchester United and Rio Ferdinand would have been aware that all players must take drugs tests within an hour of being told they have been chosen to give a sample, it was confirmed today.
Ferdinand's disciplinary hearing for missing a drugs test takes place next week and his legal team are expected to base their defence on a claim that he offered to provide a sample while the testers were still at Manchester United's training ground.
However that is understood to be two hours after the intended test on September 23rd and UK
The guidelines, which are also available on UK
Ferdinand's legal advisers have pinpointed the timings of the affair as key and are set to argue he was denied an opportunity to take a drugs test.
The United defender has been charged with misconduct and will appear before an FA disciplinary commission in Bolton on December 18th and 19th.
It has been anticipated he will receive a three-month ban and FIFA president Sepp Blatter has said the world governing body will wish to ratify the punishment.
Sport stipulate an hour is the limit. That information is contained within guidelines sent by UK Sport to all governing bodies they carry out drugs tests for, and these would have been sent on by the Football Association to all clubs. Sport 's website, clearly state: "Athletes must conduct a test as soon as possible and certainly within an hour of being notified of selection."