Ferdinand was ‘distracted by Nokia ringtone’ in FA Cup final against Liverpool

Anton Ferdinand has admitted that he missed his penalty in the 2006 FA Cup final against Liverpool after being unable to hear anything other than the old Nokia ringtone.

Liverpool came from behind twice to draw 3-3 after extra time in 2005's final at the Millennium Stadium.

After the game went to penalties, the Hammers had the chance to win their first FA Cup since 1980.

Ferdinand stepped up last for West Ham and had to score to keep the Hammers in the tie.

However, his timid shot was saved by Pepe Reina, and Liverpool players wheeled away in celebration.

Ferdinand, speaking exclusively to Ladbrokes at its launch of the 5-A-Side Bet on Burnley v West Ham, revealed that when he was walking up to take the penalty he couldn't get the Nokia ringtone out of his head.

The defender explained that he tried to blank out all the noise from the Liverpool fans behind him and focus on beating Reina, but was unable to do so.

"Pepe Reina saved my penalty which meant Liverpool had won the shootout, and I honestly can't remember anything from the immediate aftermath of my penalty," he said. "I don't know who came over to me first, I just wanted the ground to swallow me up to be honest. It was a surreal moment. It's just a blur.

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    • "The only thing I remember about stepping up to take the penalty is that for 120 minutes we'd had about 90,000 fans directing noise towards the pitch, but when I stepped up and put the ball down, there was pure silence.

    "I remember hearing the old Nokia ringtone. I could just hear that. I swear I just heard that ringtone, because the whole place was silent. It threw me completely.

    "I'd lost all my trail of thought because before that I was fully focused. That's what did me, it's my main memory of the day.

    "I was confident while I was walking to the spot – I call it a great save from Pepe Reina – but I felt calm and confident.

    "Before the shootout we were in the huddle and the gaffer was asking who wanted to take the penalties.

    "We'd sorted out the first four takers but no one stepped up for the fifth, so I put my hand up, took it upon myself and said I'd take it, and that was it. It just wasn't meant to be."

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