The Premier League have announced there will be no pre-match handshake at Sunday's Premier League game between Chelsea and QPR.
The decision has been taken 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 Premier League match since the Chelsea captain was accused of racially abusing the QPR player in October.
After taking legal advice, the Premier League have now decided to suspend the handshake convention.
A Premier League 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."
Terry was charged with a racially-aggravated public order offence in December last year following the game. The former England captain has vowed 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, but the Premier League had initially insisted the handshake between the two sides should go ahead this weekend.
That had been their policy when Liverpool met Manchester United following Luis Suarez's ban for racially abusing Patrice Evra - when the Liverpool striker then caused a storm by snubbing the French defender.
The Premier League felt they had little option in relation to Sunday's game at Stamford Bridge after legal advice. Ferdinand's lawyers had advised their client that to shake Terry's hand may prejudice the trial of the Chelsea centre-back, while Terry's legal team suggested that it could also prejudice the trial if the QPR player refused to do so.
Ferdinand maintains he is in the right frame of mind to play despite the hostile atmosphere he and his team-mates will face in Sunday's game.
The Premier League insist the fair play ritual, which they introduced into the top flight in 2004, remains an important part of the game.
what do you think?
Phil Senior
Sooo....the FA can cancel the handshake routine for the disgraceful England captain but insisted it happened for Suarez. IS THAT RACIST??
Dorrien Phillips
Can someone pls explain to me why then wasn't the Man Utd v Liverpool handshake cancelled to stop all the fuss and bother??
Jenny Molloy
This comment has been removed for violations of our Terms and Conditions.
Robbie369P .
Yet again everyone bends over backwards for John Terry.
Ian Matthews
Appalling decision - the handshake is a 'gentlemanly' gesture which should be enforced. If they cannot work it out, it speaks volumes...
John Pattie
John Special Terry
Robert L Lever
Why is it that football is always oranges header, there are other sports, when two english F1 drivers do well, tennis hidden away, maybe the editor has a 5 year old training up Outer Midlotian.
Andy Beck
I am afraid afterTuesdays mindless display, England ( whoever that turns out to be ) have got to turn around to John Terry and Say enough is enough we can not risk playing you, you are just not worth the risk. All of what has or has not been said in the racist row will come out in due course and whilst we should not pre judge John Terry epitomises all that is wrong in football.On a pure footballing basis England should drop him. As for handshakes Anton Ferndinand should ignore his lawyers seek out terry shake his hand and show us all something we already know, he is the better man !!
wes
Ferdinand's lawyers had advised him not to shake Terry's hand WHO'S THE RACIST NOW?
Bob Bennett
How come the world of sport bends over for john terry, suspended from the champions league final but allowed to lift the cup, court case cancelled until later in the year. Who are these people gods, he is only like many overpaid sportsman doing a job. Get a life man they should both be made to shake hands and if not neither of them should start the match. Grow up lads and stop listening to solicitors and agents, just shake hands and get on with life.
stephen howe
You cannot do this, you cannot do that, this will offend someone, this will be ok, where is the individual in all of this? Can we please all take responsibility for our actions regardless of European Cups, FA Cups etc and all grow up. May be the Matrix was right?
Steven Jones
This is like a playground tantrum between two little boys, get them in court and bring an end to it !!!!! If Terry is guilty, hammer him with a HUGE fine and a long ban, it`s time to stop this as it once again gives football a bad name.
andy may
nice to see the legal profession spreading their cancer through all parts of our society. ambulace chasing, divorce meddling, criminal supporting and now,hand-shake banning! their profession has nothing to do with fairness, justice and reconciliation; it's all about greed for more money at the expense of the suffering of others.
Tina Taylor
Should either of them be playing due to the 'legal situation'? It seems to me the obvious solution is don't play either of them and the rest can shake hands if they want to. This is getting stupid now. 2 grown men who don't know how to behave, worse than my 6 year old Grandson!!!
Phil Senior
3:45am on 27/4/2012
Sooo....the FA can cancel the handshake routine for the disgraceful England captain but insisted it happened for Suarez. IS THAT RACIST??