Rio Ferdinand says that his ban for failing to take a drug test prior to the European Cup in Portugal in 2004 is serving as motivation for him to do well at this year’s World Cup in Germany.

The English defender who plays club football for glamour team, Manchester United, was suspended for eight months in 2004 and was forced to watch Euro 2004 from a television in Miami. According to the rules of European football, failing to take a drugs test is tantamount to actually testing positive and the corresponding punishments are strictly enforced.

“That acts as a bit of a reminder of what happened and I watched the games with some mates in Miami. It makes you more hungry,” he said.

England haven’t won the World Cup since 1966 and will have to get past more fancied teams such as Brazil and Holland if they are to repeat the glory of 40 years ago.

Hopefully, the Cup will be played without the taint of any positive drug tests or indeed any players “forgetting” to show up for the test.