Ferdinand withdraws from Beckham charity match

Rio Ferdinand was scheduled to line up alongside John
Terry and Ashley Cole at David Beckham's charity
match, but has now had to withdraw.

Rio Ferdinand has withdrawn from David Beckham's UNICEF
match at Old Trafford on Saturday, ending any chance of him
lining up alongside John Terry.

The former Manchester United defender had been due to play in
a Great Britain and Ireland team managed by Alex Ferguson
against Carlo Ancelotti's Rest of the World side in the star-
studded charity game.

It would have been the first time Ferdinand had lined up
alongside Terry since the Chelsea defender allegedly used racist
language against his brother Anton during a match with QPR in
2011.

Terry was found not guilty by a magistrates court but was still
fined and suspended by the FA in a saga that eventually led to
his international retirement.

Ashley Cole, who gave evidence in Terry's defence in the
criminal trial, is also due to play for the GB and Ireland team in
the sold-out fixture.

No reason was given for Ferdinand's withdrawal in a United
statement, although reports suggest he has suffered a calf
injury.

It was also announced Alessandro Nesta, Massimo Ambrosini
and Fabio Cannavaro would miss the game. Andy Cole has
already had to pull out after suffering kidney failure.

The statement read: "Players who were originally scheduled to
play including Rio Ferdinand, Andy Cole, Fabio Cannavaro,
Alessandro Nesta and Massimo Ambrosini can no longer attend
Saturday’s match."

Beckham will captain the GB and Ireland side, while Zinedine
Zidane leads out a Rest of the World team that lincludes the
likes of Luis Figo and Ronaldinho.