Ferdinand Refuses To Shake Terry's Hand

Anton Ferdinand snubbed John Terry and Ashley Cole during pre-match handshakes, but players and managers say it is time to move on.

The game between QPR and Chelsea at Loftus Road was the first time Terry had come face to face with Ferdinand since he was cleared of racially abusing him.

Both clubs were ordered by the Premier League to carry out the pre-match handshake. But Ferdinand refused to take the hand of either Terry or Cole, who was a character witness for Terry during his trial.

QPR manager Mark Hughes is an opponent of the pre-match ritual but hopes talk of handshakes will now draw to a close.

He said: "For goodness sake, we've been talking about it for God knows how long. I think it's done and dusted now.

"It's something and nothing in my view. I thought the game was what was important today and, thankfully, it was played in good spirit.

"You can't get too misty eyed about the old days and how it used to be - a lot of things have moved on for the better.

"But I just think this element of the Respect campaign is something that causes more problems than it solves and I don't think that was its intention when it was introduced."

Opposite number Roberto Di Matteo didn't give a clear answer when asked if he thought pre-match handshakes should be scrapped.

"Listen, we offered and we have done our part and if other people feel differently, that's not our problem," he said, "I think we should shift the focus onto the football side.

"We are here for the 90-95 minutes and not what happens before and after the game."

QPR defender Ryan Nelsen had sympathy for his team mate.

"It's not good for the game of football, and Anton I feel sorry for the man."