AVB backed handshake decision

by Setanta Staff , 28 January 2012

Andre Villas-Boas knew nothing of suggestions several QPR players would snub John Terry ahead of Chelsea's 1-0 FA Cup win at Loftus Road.


Rangers boss Mark Hughes admitted the pre-match handshake between QPR and Chelsea may have been cancelled because more than one of his players were considering snubbing 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.

Villas-Boas said: "It was a wise decision bearing in mind the expectancy that was aroused from the fact that a couple of events could happen in that handshake.

"It was wise not to do it because it could have an impact on crowd behaviour.

"I think it was decision for the moment."

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Pos
Team P W D L +/- PTS
1.
Man City
38
28
5
5
64
89
2.
Man Utd
38
28
5
5
56
89
3.
Arsenal
38
21
7
10
25
70
4.
Tottenham
38
20
9
9
25
69
5.
Newcastle
38
19
8
11
5
65
6.
Chelsea
38
18
10
10
19
64
7.
Everton
38
15
11
12
10
56
8.
Liverpool
38
14
10
14
7
52
9.
Fulham
38
14
10
14
-3
52
10.
West Brom
38
13
8
17
-7
47
11.
Swansea
38
12
11
15
-7
47
12.
Norwich
38
12
11
15
-14
47
13.
Sunderland
38
11
12
15
-1
45
14.
Stoke
38
11
12
15
-17
45
15.
Wigan
38
11
10
17
-20
43
16.
Aston Villa
38
7
17
14
-16
38
17.
QPR
38
10
7
21
-23
37
18.
Bolton
38
10
6
22
-31
36
19.
Blackburn
38
8
7
23
-30
31
20.
Wolverhampton
38
5
10
23
-43
25
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