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Terry faces another handshake snub

Comment: 0 January 30th, 2012

IT looks like another snub is coming John Terry’s way.

After Queens Park Rangers players refused to shake hands with him last Saturday, Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand could do the same to the Chelsea captain.

That could come on Sunday when the Red Devils visit Stamford Bridge in an important Premier League tussle.

And it could yet be another embarrassing situation for the England skipper who got embroiled in a recent racial slur controversy with Anton Ferdinand, the Hoops defender who is Rio’s younger brother.

The Football Association decided to forego the traditional pre-match Respect parade during the latest QPR-Chelsea tussle over the weekend when Hoops objected to shaking Terry’s hands.

Terry has been charged with racially abusing Anton Ferdinand during their game last October. Terry has denied the charge and he is set to appear before the West London Magistrates’ court on Wednesday.

If Rio stands by his brother, his relationship with Terry as far as the England squad is concerned could be affected especially during their coming campaign in the Euro 2012.

Rio is battling for position in the squad and if he is fit for the European quest, coach Fabio Capello is expected to tap him for a usual team up with Terry at the backline.

The Blues beat QPR 1-0 at Loftus Road in the fourth round of the FA Cup last Saturday behind Juan Mata’s penalty brace but the run-up to the match was overshadowed by the friction between Terry and the younger Ferdinand.

QPR players decided during an impromptu meeting the night before the game not to shake Terry’s hands to show their support to Ferdinand.

The FA said they decided to scratch the pre-game handshakes from the programme to avoid public humiliation for Terry and at the same time encourage sporting behaviour.

Ferdinand had received death threats prior to the game with Chelsea.

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