• Villas-Boas had said handshake was ‘extremely important’
• ‘That has to be his decision,’ says Hughes
Mark Hughes has refused to add to the pressure on Anton Ferdinand to shake John Terry’s hand before QPR’s FA Cup clash with Chelsea after André Villas-Boas claimed it was “extremely important” the player did so.
The Rangers manager said it was entirely Ferdinand’s decision whether to snub Terry during the pre-match handshake prior to Saturday’s west London derby at Loftus Road. Villas-Boas hoped and expected Ferdinand would accept Terry’s hand, despite the latter having been charged with racially abusing his fellow defender – a charge the England captain denies.
Ferdinand is reportedly agonising over whether shaking Terry’s hand could be seen as hypocritical amid claims he has been advised by Rangers that to do so would be the best course of action. But Hughes said this afternoon: “If he feels it is not appropriate, that has to be his own decision. It won’t be influenced by myself or the club.”
Asked if it was important Ferdinand did shake Terry’s hand, Villas-Boas had said: “Extremely important, extremely important”, before adding: “This game is based on good values more than anything else. These players should continue to promote these good values.”
Villas-Boas confirmed the matter had been discussed with Terry, who looks certain to offer his hand to Ferdinand. The Chelsea boss said: “Everybody has been having conversations, from the top, to the players, to the manager.”
Saturday’s game sees the players square off for the first time since allegations emerged that Terry had used a racist slur against Ferdinand during October’s Premier League match at Loftus Road. The cup tie also comes four days before Terry is expected to enter a not-guilty plea at Westminster Magistrates Court, having repeatedly denied the charge against him.
Neither Villas-Boas nor Hughes had any fears over their respective defenders’ mentality going into Saturday’s game. Villas-Boas said of Terry: “I have to count on the player, and the player is fit and available for the game.” Hughes said: “Anton is very clear in his mind, as I am, that irrespective of what surrounds the game, and the speculation and conversations, that he is fit, he is well and able to play.”
Hughes played down reports Ferdinand had spent £30,000 on personal security to ensure a trouble-free journey to Loftus Road. He joked: “We’re actually in a hotel tonight and travelling to the ground by coach so it is 30 grand he didn’t have to spend.”
Chelsea have already vowed to ban any fan found racially abusing Ferdinand from Stamford Bridge, including those who sing the now-notorious “Anton Ferdinand, you know what you are” chant.
Hughes suggested QPR stood ready to eject anyone from Loftus Road heard doing so on Saturday. He said of the chant: “I think we understand what is meant by that.”
He added: “If there is inappropriate chanting or behaviour then you get ejected from the ground and rightly so.”
Extra police have been laid on for a game which will kick-off at 12pm in a bid to limit any trouble, while both clubs issued strongly-worded statements this week warning supporters to behave. Villas-Boas admitted there were also “extra responsibilities” for both sets of players to keep calm amid what could be a hostile atmosphere on Saturday.
Chelsea had two players sent off in October’s league meeting but Villas-Boas insisted there was no need to warn his squad about their behaviour prior to kick-off on Saturday. “I won’t speak to the players specifically about that before the game, not at all,” he said, predicting the match would pass off without trouble. “The environment was outstanding the last time we played there at Loftus Road, so I expect it to be the same.”
Hughes said: “We as a club obviously have spoken quite closely with Chelsea and the police. I just hope everybody is sensible and enjoys the game for what it is, a fantastic cup tie that we’re all looking forward to.
“We basically want to be talking about the football and what happens on the pitch.”
FA CupQPRJohn TerryChelsea
guardian.co.uk
