RIO Ferdinand has decided not to go ahead with a second appeal against his eight-month ban for missing a drugs test.
The England and Manchester United defender will miss Euro 2004 after an independent three-man panel upheld the suspension initially handed down on December 19.
It was agreed that Ferdinand did not miss the test for 'drug-related' reasons, but still dismissed his challenge to the verdict.
The 25-year-old decided enough was enough and has chosen to accept his punishment.
He said: "I think the ban was harsh and that I have been made an example of. But I've decided it is time this case came to an end.
"When my appeal was rejected last Thursday my first reaction was to keep going. But I've had a chance to think about it and I don't feel it would serve any purpose by dragging it out.
"The point has been made that I am not a drug-taker. Everyone accepts that, which was very important to me.
"I feel I've cleared my name in that regard. I have no doubt that I will come out of this as a better player and a better person.
"I've never been the sort of person who gives up and I've never quit on anything in my life. I have to be positive."
Another player in a positive frame of mind is Arsenal winger, Jermaine Pennant.
The Gunners may be on the cusp of bagging an historic treble but Pennant is delighted to be involved in a relegation dogfight.
The winger has spent the last seven months on loan at Elland Road from Arsenal and has his sights set on avoiding the drop - and gaining a long-term deal in the process.
"I've not missed Arsenal or London," he said. "Leeds is a great club and this is a great city. I'd like to stay here although I've not heard anything about the future from Arsenal. I just keep signing every month here.
"I'm getting better every game as I gain confidence and experience. I'm thankful to Leeds for giving me the chance and I'd like my career to take off here.
"If Leeds do stay up and they want to keep me, I'd be more than happy to stay."
Sir Bobby Robson celebrated their weekend win over Charlton by claiming that he may decide to stay on as Newcastle manager after his contract runs out at the end of the 2004/05 campaign.
The Magpies chief, now 71, will not make a decision until he sees how he - and the team - performs next season.
"At this time next season we'll review the situation," he said. "It will depend on what the chairman wants, what I want and, obviously, how the results are going.
"If the team are doing well and I feel as I good as I do now why would I want to give it up?"
One manager who isn't so sure of his future is Claudio Ranieri. However, the Chelsea boss has admitted that he would like to stay in England if Chelsea sack him in the summer.
There has been a stream of big-name managers linked with his position since Roman Abramovich took over last summer, but Ranieri's agent, Jon Smith insisted that the Italian wouldn't be short of offers should the worse case scenario occur.
He said: "Claudio is on a good contract at Chelsea and we are not about to jeopardise that, or any future settlement of it, by making any moves now.
"But if he were to be fired, there are clubs at home and abroad who have indicated their interest in him.
"Should the situation arise, I know he would prefer to stay in this country."
