1. 88 updates

Terry-Ferdinand handshake row

Chelsea say John Terry and Ashley Cole will go-ahead with the pre-match handshake at QPR tomorrow. It is the first time the Chelsea captain has lined up against Anton Ferdinand since being cleared of using a racial slur against him.

Live updates

Advertisement

QPR manager: 'We'll respect the handshake if that's what we're told will happen'

The QPR manager Mark Hughes is awaiting confirmation from the Premier League over whether the pre-match handshake before tomorrow's clash with Chelsea at Loftus Road must take place.

Anton Ferdinand and John Terry will meet for the first time since the Chelsea captain was found not guilty in his race trial in July.

Hughes said:

There's a lot of debate over the handshake every time we have a game against Chelsea.

We'll respect the handshake if that's what we're told will happen.

It's not my decision, we abide by the Premier League.

I've had a discussion with Anton about it but that will remain between us."

Di Matteo: We will go ahead with pre-match handshake

Roberto Di Matteo said Chelsea would "respect the rules" and go-ahead with the pre-match handshake at QPR tomorrow. The Chelsea manager added that both John Terry and Ashley Cole will be available for the match.

They've recovered, had a couple of days training and we expect them to be available for tomorrow.

We're going to respect the rules and the protocol that is in place from the Premier League and set a positive standard to the millions of people watching across the world.

– Roberto Di Matteo, Chelsea manager

He added of the handshake: "We'll go ahead with it, yes."

Advertisement

Report: QPR striker Zamora will shake Terry's hand

QPR striker Bobby Zamora said he will shake John Terry's hand at Loftus Road tomorrow, if the Chelsea captain starts.

England's John Terry (right) chats with Bobby Zamora on their way to the training field in 2011. Credit: Adam Davy/EMPICS Sport

The pair played together as schoolboys and Zamora told The Sun: "I've known John Terry for years and he's a very good friend of mine. We grew up together and of course I'll shake his hand if he's playing on Saturday."

Chelsea and QPR warn fans over conduct

Both QPR and Chelsea have published statements on their club websites warning fans over their conduct during the match at Loftus Road tomorrow.

Tensions are expected to be high with Anton Ferdinand and John Terry lining up against one another for the first time since the Chelsea captain was found not guilty of using a racial slur against the QPR defender.

The statements said:

Last January's FA Cup match at QPR and the meeting between the sides in April at Stamford Bridge were good examples of passionate and vocal rivalry with the fans of both clubs recognising that abuse and discrimination have no place in a football stadium, nor anywhere else in society.

– Chelsea's statement 'The Right Rivalry'

QPR will not tolerate sexual or racially based harassment, or other discriminatory behaviour, whether physical or verbal and where required we will work in full co-operation with the Metropolitan Police to provide CCTV footage and staff statements to ensure prosecution. Any actions that lead to prosecution or removal from the ground will result in a ban.

– QPR's statement 'Your Behaviour: A Reminder'

John Terry set to face Anton Ferdinand

John Terry looks set to line up against Anton Ferdinand tomorrow for the first time since the Chelsea captain was found not guilty of using a racial slur against the QPR defender.

Chelsea's John Terry and QPR's Anton Ferdinand (left). Credit: Anthony Devlin/PA Wire

Terry remains subject of a Football Association investigation over the charges, which he denies, while left-back Ashley Cole was a character witness during the trial.

Speculation is rife whether Ferdinand and Terry will shake hands before the kickoff at Loftus Road.

The tradition was abandoned in advance of the previous two encounters between the clubs but the Premier League has no intention of cancelling the pre-match handshakes this time.

Load more updates Back to top

Latest ITV News reports