FA Cup - Ferdinand 'receives bullet in the post'
Anton Ferdinand is believed to have been sent a bullet in the post ahead of Saturday's FA Cup tie between QPR and Chelsea.
The incident happened less than 24 hours before the already highly charged fixture which kicks-off at midday on Saturday.
A Scotland Yard spokesman said: “We are investigating an allegation of malicious communication received today at QPR football club. Officers from Hammersmith and Fulham are investigating."
The package is believed to have contained a shotgun cartridge and a death threat.
The new development came on the same day Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas insisted QPR's Ferdinand should shake hands with John Terry before the FA Cup clash at Loftus Road.
Villas-Boas said he hoped and expected Ferdinand not to snub Terry, despite allegations the Rangers defender was the victim of a racist slur from the
The players square off for the first time since then, and just four days before the court case begins in which Terry stands accused of abusing Ferdinand.
Ferdinand is reportedly agonising over whether to shake Terry's hand, amid fears it could be viewed as hypocritical. Asked if it was important he did so, Villas-Boas said: "Extremely important, extremely important."
He added: "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 denies having racially abused Ferdinand. The Chelsea boss said: "Everybody has been having conversations, from the top, to the players, to the manager."
Villas-Boas reiterated he would not consider leaving out Terry and said he had not felt the need to check on his frame of mind this week.
"No, not at all," he said. "I have to count on the player, and the player is fit and available for the game."
He also revealed he had no plans to issue special instructions to his players reminding them to stay calm amid what is likely to be a hostile atmosphere.
Admitting there were "extra responsibilities" to consider, he added: "I won't speak to the players specifically about that before the game, not at all."
Comment 186 - 205 of 205
John Terry ;Youre ma's a stealer youre da's dealer,i just don't know where you get it from.HH
I would have thought it would be John Terry that refused to shake hands
IF I really wanted to scare Ferdinand. I would have sent Chuck Norris....who just happens to be white or is it that white is just lucky enough to be Chuck Norris.....
Wow! most of these comments don't seem to have come out of the blue...get it? Probably not. Why? because most of you are probably morons who are more predjudicial tha Terry has evter been or is. You clook for an opportunity just to take apart someone you are jealous of, someone who has made simple mistakes and yet is the most recocgnizable defender in England.....not because of his mistakes but because he is captain of Chelsea, England and has made the world 11 more times than Rio's brother ever has or will.
Terry is overpaid but no more so than Wayne the bald, Evra the liar or Stevie Gellad. I personally think he is worth the effort and cash, he has dragged Chelsea from obscurity and leads his country better than any since Bryan Robson. Anton is just a pale shadow of Terry and that's nothing to do with being black or having identity issues etc.
I'm sorry Ferdinand's family may have been frightened..The bullet probably wasn't even sent by a Chelsea fan!!!
Racism from terry...perhaps yes or no anyway,his got all forms of atrocites...SECRET LIFE OF THE ENGLISH
Neil Lennon sent it !
I think the Chelsea idiot who has done such a thing might have got the idea from one of their equally lacking in brain cells blues brothers from north of the border,who also have form for intimidating decent,innocent people.
All these comments, terry is a disgrace, the english are racist etc.........who are you to talk?.havnt you heard of innocent until proven guilty. Prejudice and jealousy....the downside of man.
as long as torres fires the gun, he`s safe.
Wow, bullet in the post... Abramovich? Any other guesses?
AVB is a hypocrite. He publicly supported Terry. Now he is pushing for a hand shake to calm the stormy waters. Both Terry and AVB are idiots who have no place in english football. Shame on the FA for giving the arm band to a man accused of racially abusing another player. But I know, both AVB and Terry have no shame
dont worry anton.theres a lot of love out there for you.
"oh,its me" said JT? so shows this pic...
i totally disagree with Chukwutem, a bit of a short sighted comment..... yes we have racists in this country but so does every country cannot judge a country just cos a footballer is racist... its narrow minded to think that, john terry if found guilty should lose his captaincy, racism should not be tolerated anywhere... and AVB should understand (if true) that a player might not want to shake the hand of a guy who was racist towards him, if it was the other way round would AVB be saying the same thing??? of course innocent before being proved guilty. but ive never like john terry anyway. but if he was racist then he should be punished for it, and if he wasnt then he should get an apology.
John Terry is an ignorant,aggorant and an idiot, who gets paid alot of money,what Anton should do is shake h
is hand then wipe his hand on his QPR shirt, and get on with the game and play and blinder.
This will show to the waiting media, that he is a man of morals and proffesionalism.
But I am affraid to say that todays proffesional footballers, somewhat lack these skills and the baying media will have there day. Please prove me wrong Anton.
If terry is the captain of the english team despite his despicable life then that says it all about the english people. Shame on all those who back this RACIST and continue to threating Anton. Thank God for yahoo we now know english people for what they really are, RACISTS.
that bullat waz up my bum at 1 time.
Without a doubt do not shake his had...
189 - not a fret. a waz jost tryin tae get notised. attentian seekin.
Is this a threat,or just some idiot trying to be noticed!
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