LONDON: The Premier League has suspended the pre-match handshake at today’s game between Chelsea and QPR due to the legal situation involving John Terry and Anton Ferdinand.

Ferdinand’s lawyers had advised him not to shake Terry’s hand – the first time the pair would have met in a Barclays Premier League match since the Chelsea captain was accused of racially abusing the QPR player in October.

After taking legal advice, the Premier League decided to suspend the handshake convention. A statement read: “The Premier League position on the pre-match handshake convention remains consistent. In all normal circumstances it must be observed.

“However, after discussions with both Chelsea and Queens Park Rangers about the potential and specific legal context in relation to John Terry and Anton Ferdinand the decision has been taken to suspend the handshake convention for Sunday’s match.”

This match at Stamford Bridge is the first time that Ferdinand and Terry have met in a Premier League game since the Chelsea captain was accused of racially abusing the QPR player in October’s reverse fixture.

Terry was charged with a racially-aggravated public order offence in December last year following the game, but the former England captain denies the charge and has promised to fight “tooth and nail” to clear his name in his trial, which takes place on July 9.

The Football Association cancelled the pre-match handshake when the two clubs met in the FA Cup in January.

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