Rio case a 'one off'

Richard Scudamore is confident there will be no more drugs scandals in the Premier League following the Rio Ferdinand affair.

The Manchester United defender is currently fighting an eight-month ban for failing to provide a urine sample when UK Sport testers turned up the club's training ground.

The Premier League chief executive said: 'Quite frankly, the clubs in the Premier League all tell me that it is a very rigorous procedure and that it would be almost impossible to have a repeat of that situation.

'I am confident that the players could not possibly avoid taking those tests. Irrespective of what [FA chief executive] Mark Palios is saying is happening and of any review going on, I remain satisfied that the Premier League clubs will make sure that this sort of thing doesn't happen again.'

Asked about reports that government-funded UK Sport might lose the contract to test footballers, he added: 'They are experienced at it. I don't have first-hand knowledge of exactly what goes on and what happens but I have been told by the clubs and have reassurances from them that they are satisfied with the rigour of the procedures.

'If it is deemed there should be changes, that is something for the FA.'