Mark Hughes admitted the pre-match handshake between QPR and Chelsea before their FA Cup clash may have been cancelled because more than one of his players were considering snubbing John Terry.
The Football Association gave the clubs permission not to undertake the usual handshake routine prior to the fourth-round tie at Loftus Road, which was settled by Juan Mata's 62nd-minute penalty after Clint Hill was adjudged to have pushed over Daniel Sturridge.
That spared Anton Ferdinand having to shake the hand of Chelsea captain Terry, who has been charged with racially abusing his fellow defender and faces a court case that begins on Wednesday.
Ferdinand was reportedly agonising over whether to ignore Terry - who denies the allegation against him - ahead of what was their first meeting since their altercation during October's Barclays Premier League game.
Rangers boss Hughes revealed he held a meeting with his players on Friday night at which some of them suggested they would be prepared to join Ferdinand in snubbing Terry.
"There could well have been an issue but players make their own decisions," Hughes said. "I said Anton was the guy who had to make his own decisions for himself about whether or not he shook John Terry's hand. With the group I have got I know they wanted to support their team-mate and the situation in the end was to take it out of the equation and not to have the issue."
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Anton Ferdinand will never play for England anyway so who cares whether they shake hands or not. Hand shakes are supposed to be sign of mutual respect. If it's mandatory it means nothing.
its disgusting behaveur.there grown men,so grow up.honestly u english are getting more like the yanks everyday.the press are killing football,by blowing everything into a movie,they shoulkd be ashmed,but worse the players are following suit,please stop before the game is ruined.
GOIN DOWN, GOIN DOWN, WELSHMAN TAKE'S YOU DOWN YOUR GOIN DOWN this is what happens to liars! what goes around come around,your fans are scum idiots JT knows what you are your a rubbish club with no hope of ever winning anything with rubbish defenders and chelsea rejects, goodbye losers, we will celebrate at Wembley when we win yet another cup and the best bit will be your relegation, back to where you belong.your fans a rascist to the England capt so glad im born and bred chelsea not two bob white city a bigger dump than liverpool.HA even Alex didn't want to join ya and he's a good defender (with common sense)
the FA just cant choose which games to stop players shaking hands its stupid all i have to say I SWEET FA
Gary, Barton and Terry shook each others hands just before kick off after shaking hands with the Ref's.
If the handshake is called off for this is should be scrapped altogether. Handbags and schoolyard behavior and the gentleman's tradition is cancelled because someone may have called someone a name. Even writing this makes me shake my head and lower it in disgust about a sport I love to watch.
What a disgrace. Grow up!
That is nonsense, two England players having hatred for themselves and one day they should expect themselves to be in one team called the three Lions of England, it is stupidity for Ferdinand to reject shaking hands with Terry, do you think John Terry cares. it is the same action that stoped England from progressing through the world cup when Wayne Bridge refused to be in the same team with Terry now who is loosing it? Terry is still the captain for both his club and country but where is Wayne Bridge, Anton Ferdinand is still a young boy he had better watch his footsteps
lets just totally disfuse this situation.ther should be no racial abuse,snubbing players is not going to help the matter.
let the law decide ..... handshakes should have taken place all that is happening here is fuel for the fire and more bad feelings
if the alleged mismeanor occured justice will be done .... let normality and respect return
I am sure J. Barton would have snub or even kick at Terry anyway
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