BEIJING, Oct. 30 (Xinhuanet) -- Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has been charged by the English Football Association for missing a random drug test.

The Englishman could have been given a two-year ban if he had been charged with the more serious violation of ¡°willfully¡± avoiding the test.

Ferdinand missed the test on Sept. 23. He said he forgot the appointment with UK Sport's anti-doping team and passed a test 36 hours later. (CRIENGLISH.com)