The latest England formation . . . no strikers

The England football team backed down over a strike threat last night in an unprecedented row with the Football Association that threatened the nation's participation in the Euro 2004 championships and future World Cups.

But in doing so the players, led by the captain, David Beckham, issued a damning attack on the sport's governing body over the perceived injustice of excluding from the squad the Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand after he had failed to turn up for a random drugs test.

At a hastily convened press conference last night Mark Palios, the chief executive of the FA, said he was pleased to announce that the 24-man squad had withdrawn a threat of effectively going on strike. They would all, without Ferdinand, be flying out later today for the final qualification match against Turkey. England have to avoid defeat to reach next year's tournament.

As part of the deal, which followed a series of meetings, the players insisted that a statement was also issued to the media. "It is our opinion that the organisation that we represent has not only let down one of our team-mates but the whole of the England squad and its manager ... One of our team-mates was penalised without being given the rights he is entitled to and without any charges being brought against him ... Rio Ferdinand was entitled to confidentiality and a 'fair hearing'," it said.

But Mr Palios insisted that the proper procedures had been followed but said that the players had "strong views" that would be taken into account in future. Sven Goran Eriksson, the England coach, said: "It has been a difficult build-up to this game and I don't think we have played any game in the past that we have talked about so much as the Turkey game."

The players' threat of a boycott receded after it was explained that England would be disqualified if they did not play, and not just lose points. It was also explained that future participation in tournaments would be in peril. Ferdinand, who subsequently passed the drugs test, also sent a message his team-mates urging them to play.

The crisis has also raised questions over the growing playing power in the game with Eriksson also, apparently, siding with the players against the FA.

The England players' strike threat is one of a number of issues casting a shadow over the game.

Manchester United have taken legal advice over the treatment of Ferdinand, signed for a record £30m. United allege Ferdinand, who has since passed a drugs tests, has been made an example of by the FA. It claims that by releasing his name in connection with an unproven allegation, the FA breached confidentiality.

Meanwhile, the Leeds United footballer Jody Morris was named as the player being questioned by police in connection with an alleged serious sexual assault on a 20-year-old woman in the Leeds area on Monday. Last night he and another man were released on police bail pending further inquiries.

Police investigating a separate alleged rape of a teenage girl at a London hotel have arrested Nicholas Meikle, 29, a party organiser. He was released on bail.