Verroken set to be first casualty in doping fiasco
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The repercussions of the Rio Ferdinand doping case look set to claim its first high-profile victim, with the resignation of Michele Verroken, the head of ethics and anti-doping at UK Sport.
Verroken, who oversaw the test missed by Manchester United's £30m defender, is expected to take the blame for Ferdinand's name being leaked to the media. The Professional Footballers' Association's chief executive, Gordon Taylor, has been so angered by the leak that he has threatened to pull his members out of all UK Sport tests.
Verroken was told at a meeting on Tuesday with Sue Campbell, the interim chair of UK Sport, that she has no future in her role with the agency that oversees drug testing in British sport. Verroken is currently on paid leave at home.
The news of Ferdinand's missed test at Manchester United's training ground on 23 September was reported directly to Verroken as part of her job at UK Sport.
Taylor blamed Verroken for Ferdinand's name being leaked and claimed it would prejudice any chances of a fair hearing with the Football Association. But Taylor himself, Ferdinand's agent Pini Zahavi, and sources at Manchester United all confirmed Ferdinand as the player who had broken drug regulations.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments