THE Rio Ferdinand affair is unprecedented in the history of English football, with the entire national squad threatening to boycott a crucial game and therefore risking elimination from Euro 2004.

Thankfully, common sense prevailed and the protest was called off last night.

Even so, the Turkish players must be rubbing their hands, encouraged by the news that they face unhappy and bitter opposition.

However harsh it may seem, the Football Association had no choice but to remove Ferdinand from the England squad for Saturday's qualifier.

Everyone agrees that the policing of drugs in sport is of major importance and if rules are broken - for whatever reason - there have to be sanctions.

Imagine if the FA had kept quiet about Ferdinand's breach of the rules and he had played against Turkey. The cries of "cheats" would have reverberated around the world once the truth surfaced.

We do not condemn the England players for their show of solidarity because successful teams must have unity.

But as professional footballers earning incredible salaries, their responsibility is not to one man but their country.

The England players can still show their support for Rio Ferdinand - by playing their hearts out and earning qualification for football's second most important competition.

Stunt man way off target

TELEVISION standards have been going downhill for some time.

We live in the age of voyeuristic, cheap entertainment typified by Big Brother.

Illusionist Derren Brown, however, has taken standards down another notch with his televised game of Russian roulette. In partnership with Channel 4, he was responsible for a stunt which should never have been broadcast.

Following the police's confirmation that a live bullet was not used, Brown was yesterday still dodging the question of whether it was a hoax, insisting he just "wanted to make a responsible show".

We suggest that his sense of what makes responsible television is way off target.