Ferdinand hair-test to prove his innocence

0 Comments | AFP, March, 2004

LONDON (AFP) — England defender Rio Ferdinand will appeal against his eight-month suspension for missing a drugs test by producing a hair sample which he claims will prove he never took drugs.

Newspapers reported Friday the Manchester United defender hopes the new evidence will clear him.

The 25-year-old started his ban in January and Ferdinand's appeal will be heard next Thursday and Friday.

Tests on hair can reveal whether a person has taken recreational drugs and some, but not all, performance-enhancing drugs.

It is not the first time a hair test has been used in a doping case.

Christoph Daum was dismissed as Bayer Leverkusen coach and dropped as Germany's prospective coach in 2000 after he failed a similar test which he hoped would...