Euro 2004 Qualifying Turkey v England: England's embattled players arrived in Turkey last night for tomorrow's decisive Euro 2004 qualifier against the World Cup semi-finalists.

The England squad flew into Istanbul airport, leaving behind a storm of criticism over their threat to boycott the fixture.

British newspapers were vociferous in their condemnation of the players, who had voted to go on strike after defender Rio Ferdinand was omitted from the squad after he failed to attend a drugs test last month.

They reversed their decision on Wednesday after a day of tense talks at their training base.

Earlier, FIFA president Sepp Blatter, in criticising the England players, said on BBC radio: "This situation is not acceptable. There is not enough discipline and respect in our game.

"And if we don't get more discipline and respect then I don't know where we go with football."

On arrival in Istanbul, a group of around 100 Turkish fans chanted: "This is Turkey. There is no way out," as the players emerged from the airport while police linked hands to prevent any confrontations.

The tightest security was reserved for David Beckham, whose arrival was greeted with a mixture of cheering and booing.

His bodyguards blocked a young girl from approaching the midfielder to get an autograph but she was later brought over to the England team coach to meet him.

Student Mehmet Sen (21) brought a bouquet of red and white flowers to give to the England squad. "I have brought these flowers to show the English they have nothing to fear and that the game should be played in a gentlemanly fashion," he said.

Security concerns have raised the stakes after a history of trouble between fans from the two countries. England have warned their supporters to stay away for fear that more crowd trouble could lead to a UEFA ban.

Fearing any UEFA sanction itself, Turkey's Football Federation has warned fans that bad behaviour at the match will be punished.

The federation said police would confiscate any objects that could be used as projectiles, ranging from mobile phones and cigarette lighters to bottles and umbrellas.

Rio Ferdinand will still be available to play for Manchester United even if he is charged with misconduct for missing the drugs test.

The defender will attend an interview with officials from the English Football Association on Monday, after which he is expected to be charged.

If he is charged, he will have 14 days to respond and request a personal hearing during which time he will not be suspended - despite being left out of the England squad. If he is to be banned at all, that suspension will only be imposed at the full FA disciplinary hearing.

It means Ferdinand should be available to play for Manchester United at his former club Leeds on October 18th, the Champions League match at Rangers on October 22nd and Fulham's visit to Old Trafford on October 25th.

It is understood that both United and the FA are working on the assumption that Ferdinand will not be suspended during the time between the interview on Monday and a disciplinary hearing.

The case is certain to end in a charge as missing a drugs test is governed by 'strict liability' rules which means that excuses can only be used to lessen punishment rather than avoid a guilty finding.

United are sure to appeal against any punishment more severe than a fine, believing that the FA have already set a precedent by fining Manchester City's Christian Negouai £2,000 for missing a drugs test last season.

The FA have appointed a new chief executive since then, Mark Palios, who has underlined his determination to be tough on drugs.

However, football is not bound by the World Anti-Doping Code until August next year, and it may be the FA only fine Ferdinand too or impose a short ban and use the case as a opportunity to announce tougher new rules to players.

Meanwhile, England have been set the daunting challenge of proving that the injured Michael Owen is replaceable. Sven-Goran Eriksson's worst fears were confirmed yesterday morning when, just before the squad departed for Istanbul, Owen was ruled out with the leg injury sustained against Arsenal at Anfield on Saturday.

Eriksson was already bracing himself for the worst-case scenario by calling up Aston Villa's Darius Vassell - the nearest England have to an Owen clone in terms of his sheer pace - after consulting with the player and the England medical staff on Tuesday. Wayne Rooney and Emile Heskey are the most likely to start up front.