Gary Neville has confirmed that England players were on the verge of going on strike in 2003 over the treatment of Rio Ferdinand. The former Manchester United and Leeds United defender was banned for eight months in December 2003 after missing a drugs test, which also resulted in a £50,000 fine and caused him to miss Euro 2004.
Neville's role in the strike threat
Speaking on the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast, Neville revealed that he was one of the ringleaders who urged the England squad to take action. The entire squad received ballot papers to vote on whether to strike if Ferdinand was not reinstated. Neville stated that the vote was unanimous in favor of striking, despite some players later claiming they voted against it.
“England suspended you and banned you before the actual hearing, which was post-tournament,” Neville said. “I went to see Becks, who was the captain, and I said we need to get all the players together because I feel quite strongly about it. We had an anonymous vote and it was unanimous. There are a couple of players who have come out since and said they voted against it, but they are lying. It was unanimous that we would all go on strike. It didn’t help you in the end.”
Ferdinand expressed his gratitude: “I have never said thanks, but thanks for that. It didn’t get me anywhere, but it was a big risk for a player to do that. I really appreciate it.”
The aftermath
Despite the strike threat, the England team eventually traveled to Turkey for their Euro 2004 qualifier. A 0-0 draw, secured despite a missed penalty from David Beckham, was enough to qualify for the tournament. England later lost to Portugal on penalties in the quarter-finals.
Reflecting on the incident in December 2003, Neville said: “We didn't like what had happened to him and still don't like what has happened to him. It was pretty close. 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. 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.”
Neville also commented on Ferdinand's ban: “I couldn't believe the sentence and it sickened me, to be honest. All you ask for, whether you are at school or at work, is to be treated like the next guy. But that hasn't happened with Rio and I think he was compromised after The FA left him out of the England squad. People make mistakes and he has done wrong, but he has our full support.”
