The FA announced Monday, three months after the defender failed to appear for the mandatory drugs test, that Ferdinand will face an FA panel during two days in Bolton a week before Christmas.

Ferdinand has insisted he merely 'forgot' to attend the test, although since the controversy -- which almost led to England's players boycotting a crucial Euro 2004 qualifier against Turkey -- there have been calls for Ferdinand to be handed an exemplary ban.

The FA have set aside two days for the hearing, which will take place at the Reebok Stadium, the venue where Roy Keane received his record eight-match ban following his controversial statements about Alfie Haaland in his autobiography.

Meanwhile, English soccer chiefs have defended Manchester United's right to play Ferdinand until his doping case is heard after FIFA president Sepp Blatter called the decision into question.

The Football Association said Monday they were prepared to meet Blatter to discuss the case.

World soccer's chief believes United's results in both the English Premiership and European Champions League could be overturned if the England international defender is found guilty of the charge of misconduct.

Ferdinand has played in 10 of United's 11 games since September 23 when he missed the drugs test at the club's training ground.

Alex Ferguson's side have picked up 15 of a possible 18 points in the Premier League and won three of their four Champions League matches.

Blatter insists he is to write "a very strong letter to the FA to ask for some explanations."

However, English football's governing body maintain they have broken no laws.

"We will have to see what is included in his letter, but we are happy to speak to Mr Blatter at any time," FA spokesman Adrian Bevington told BBC Radio.

"I would make clear, though, that under the current procedures, and I believe this is commonplace around Europe, a player can continue playing for his club until a case is concluded.

"If the procedures have to be changed, under FIFA regulations, that's something we would have to give serious consideration too, obviously.

"But I'm not going to start speculating that United are going to lose points.

"Under our procedures, Manchester United are perfectly entitled to have been playing Rio Ferdinand until the case is concluded, as with any other disciplinary case."

Bevington admitted the appeals procedure was slow.

"It's perfectly valid to point out that, as everyone is aware, the disciplinary procedures in this country are under serious review at the moment," he said.

"The key to it here is, to circumnavigate any further problems at this time, that the system is speeded up."