Good role model? Rio Ferdinand named England captain despite drug testing and roasting rows

Yesterday he dumped squeakyclean Steven Gerrard from the role and replaced him with Rio Ferdinand, a man infamous for a shameful "roasting" video, a drink-driving ban and for going shopping instead when he should have been taking a drugs test.

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The Manchester United defender will lead out the team for tonight's friendly with France in Paris.

Four years ago Ferdinand, 29, was banned from playing for eight months and fined £50,000 after forgetting to attend a drugs test at United's training ground and going to the shops instead.

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He brought more shame on football after a video, shot during an alcohol-fuelled post-season trip to Ayia Napa in Cyprus, surfaced in a Sunday newspaper showing him and other players filming themselves having sex.

A love of fast cars has led to him gathering four motoring bans, including one for drink-driving.

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But new coach Fabio Capello, said to be a strict disciplinarian, seems to be prepared to put his desire to look at potential leaders ahead of Ferdinand's previous "form".

An FA statement said yesterday: "This (appointment) continues his policy of rotating the captaincy in the friendly matches before confirming a permanent captain for the World Cup qualifying games."

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Earlier this month Capello spelled out what he wanted in an England captain. "I have to know the man, not only the player," he said.

"He's a symbol of the England team and I will choose him before qualification for the World Cup begins.

"He has to be a big player but a symbol.

"A symbol is a good player, a good man and he has to represent the England team always in every situation."

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Ferdinand's talent on the pitch has made him the most expensive British player of all time, but his off the field antics have often made headlines.

Ferdinand made his debut for West Ham in 1996 and was called for a World Cup qualifier against Moldova the following year.

He celebrated by going out drinking with friends and was stopped on the way home for driving under the influence of alcohol and was banned for a year.

When he was not chosen for the Euro 2000 squad, he headed for Cyprus with Premiership stars Frank Lampard and Kieron Dyer.

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A video taken during the trip emerged three years later showing the players in various sexual acts and mocking two women in an orgy.

By 2002, though, he had joined Manchester United in a £30million transfer - a world record fee for a defender.

His love of expensive cars, including Aston Martins, has led to three driving bans for speeding.

In 2005 he was banned for 28 days after he was caught overtaking a police car at 105mph.

But in recent times the £100,000 a week star, whose brother Anton plays for West Ham and cousin Les Ferdinand represented England, has become involved in community work.

Last April Tony Blair made him an anti-gun and knives ambassador-to help tackle the problem.

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He has also been involved with the Damilola Taylor Trust and anti-racism, Aids awareness and child literacy campaigns.

Asked about being named England captain, Ferdinand said last night : "If you can't be forgiven for failings when you were young then that is not a good thing.

"If you learn from those mistakes then you've every right to aim as high as you want.

"Since then, I have applied myself to a different level on the pitch, the training field and in my private life as well."