Mark Hughes: Hughes: Handshake down to Anton Ferdinand

MARK Hughes has refused to add to the pressure on Anton Ferdinand to shake John Terry’s hand before QPR’s FA Cup clash with Chelsea after Andre Villas-Boas claimed it was “extremely important” he did so.

QPR manager Hughes said it was entirely Ferdinand’s decision whether to snub Terry during the pre-match handshake prior to today’s west London derby at Loftus Road.

Chelsea manager Villas-Boas hoped and expected Ferdinand would accept Terry’s hand, despite the latter having been charged with racially abusing his fellow defender, a charge the England captain denies.

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Ferdinand is reportedly agonising over whether shaking Terry’s hand could be seen as hypocritical amid claims he has been advised by QPR that to do so would be the best course of action. But Hughes said: “If he feels it is not appropriate, that has to be his own decision. It won’t be influenced by myself or the club.”

Asked if it was important Ferdinand did shake Terry’s hand, Villas-Boas said: “Extremely important, extremely important. This game is based on good values more than anything else. These players should continue to promote these good values.”

Villas-Boas confirmed the matter had been discussed with Terry, who looks certain to offer his hand to Ferdinand. The Chelsea manager said: “Everybody has been having conversations, from the top, to the players, to the manager.”

Today’s game sees the players square off for the first time since allegations emerged that Terry had used a racist slur against Ferdinand during October’s Barclays Premier League match at Loftus Road. The cup tie also comes four days before Terry is expected to enter a not-guilty plea at Westminster Magistrates Court, having repeatedly denied the charge against him.

Neither Villas-Boas nor Hughes had any fears over their respective defenders’ mentality going into the cup tie.

Villas-Boas said of Terry: “I have to count on the player, and the player is fit and available for the game.”

Hughes said: “Anton is very clear in his mind, as I am, that irrespective of what surrounds the game, and the speculation and conversations, that he is fit, he is well and able to play.”

Chelsea have vowed to ban any fan found racially abusing Ferdinand from Stamford Bridge and Hughes suggested QPR stood ready to eject anyone from Loftus Road heard doing so today.

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