England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson said he felt "sorry" for Rio Ferdinand on Saturday but respected the decision to ban the Manchester United defender for eight months for missing a drugs test.

Eriksson will be without one of his first-choice centre backs for the Euro 2004 finals unless Ferdinand manages to reduce his ban and 50,000 pounds ($88,310) fine on appeal.

"With regard to Rio, I'm sorry for him. I'm sure he will be disappointed to miss football for eight months and I'm sure he will see it as a blow to miss Euro 2004," Eriksson said in a statement on the English Football Association's website on Saturday.

"But I must respect the (disciplinary) commission's decision."

Eriksson had been critical of the drawn out process that led up to this week's two-day hearing in front of an independent disciplinary panel in Bolton.

On Saturday he was more conciliatory, saying: "I have already made clear my thoughts that the process must be improved and I am pleased that the various reviews are moving forward rapidly to ensure this happens."

Eriksson concluded by saying: "I cannot make any further comment at this time as Manchester United have said they will be appealing against the decision."

Ferdinand was punished for failing to turn up for a drugs test at United's Carrington training ground on September 23. His ban is due to start on January 12.