AVB: Ferdinand should shake hands with Terry for sake of football
Published 22:02 27/01/12 By Martin Lipton & Darren Lewis
Andre Villas-Boas has placed the onus on Anton Ferdinand to accept John Terry’s handshake offer.
Ferdinand, who was left upset after receiving hate mail containing gun ammunition, and Terry are set to come face to face at Loftus Road on Saturday for the first time since the October 23 match which resulted in the Chelsea skipper facing charges of racially insulting the QPR defender.
Terry is due to be arraigned at West London Magistrates on Wednesday and while the Blues captain is ready to shake hands in the pre-game line-up.
What the QPR star's reaction would be is unclear, although the Mirror has reported Ferdinand is ready to snub the gesture .
But after confirming Terry will start, Villas-Boas insisted it was only right and proper that Ferdinand showed “respect” for the game.
Villas-Boas said: “The handshake is extremely important, extremely important.
“I think it’s important they shake hands. This game is based on good values more than anything else. These two players should continue to promote those good values.
“There should be a hand-shake. I think the players will stand up to their examples and do it.
“Of course it’ll be a big moment before kick-off. Everybody has been having conversations, from the top to the players to the manager, and hopefully we won’t see anything about that situation.
“Firstly, it’s a question of respect for the opponent and everybody should do it. When it reaches that moment, the players should set out an example.
“A lot of the situation has been spoken about, but it’s good for the players to show that, whatever is happening off the pitch, they are playing against each other.
“I think someone in the club has spoken to Terry but I won’t talk to the players. Not at all.”
Ferdinand has been backed by the PFA after receiving the suspicious package ahead of the high noon tie. He has also had to shrug off abuse on his Facebook page.
PFA deputy chief executive Bobby Barnes said: “This takes the beautiful game to a very ugly place. I can’t say I’m suprised but I’m still disappointed that this is happening in this day and age.
“This is the sort of thing black players had to put up with years ago but I thought those days had long gone.
“No true Chelsea fan or football fan would condone this sort of behaviour. This is the sort of incident where racists believe they can express their feelings.
“I don’t feel they can and should be grouped with true Chelsea or football supporters.”
Security at Rangers’ team hotel was stepped up on Friday night after police confirmed that they are investigating a case of malicious communication.
One message on Ferdinand’s Facebook page, from a poster with the username ‘Chelsea Luiz’ said: “U f****** c***. U know what you are.”
Another, with the username Levi Hope, said: “You’re like a f****** baby crying when someone calls you a **** name. Grow up you ****.”
Ferdinand’s brother, Manchester United and England defender Rio, hit out at the attacks.
He tweeted: “Some people need to grow up. Absolute fools.”
Anton Ferdinand will not be ordered to shake hands with Terry, with QPR manager Mark Hughes saying: “It’s a personal decision.”
The hate-mail incident is serious enough for QPR and Chelsea to agree for "full searches" of spectators to be carried out before they enter Loftus Road for tomorrow's game.
A joint statement from both clubs read: "Ahead of tomorrow's FA Cup fourth-round tie at Loftus Road, we would like to advise supporters from both QPR and Chelsea to arrive early at the stadium.
"Full searches will be carried out ahead of your entry to the ground, so please have your tickets to hand and be ready to be searched.
"Entry to the stadium will be permitted from 10.30am for the midday kick-off. We are asking for your full understanding and co-operation."
