No handshake planned as Chelsea meet QPR

Another Barclays Premier League match is due to begin without a friendly handshake between the teams, as Chelsea meet QPR this Sunday, April 29th.

In a statement issued ahead of the fixture, the Premier League revealed that it has been in talks with both clubs, due to the “specific legal context” surrounding John Terry and Anton Ferdinand.

Terry stands accused of racially abusing Ferdinand when the teams clashed in October, so any public display of friendliness could have legal implications.

It now seems neither team may shake the other’s hand, as the statement confirms that “the handshake convention” has been suspended on this occasion.

“The Premier League position on the pre-match handshake convention remains consistent – in all normal circumstances, it must be observed,” the statement asserts.

For Terry, it’s already been a turbulent week – which saw him receive a straight red card on Tuesday for a collision with Barcelona’s Alexia Sanchez.

Ten-man Chelsea somehow managed to turn around a 1-0 losing scoreline to win 3-2 on aggregate, booking their place in the Champions League final.

However, there has been further controversy since then, as social networks and sports columns alike have been filled with the debate over whether Terry, suspended from the final due to the red card, should be allowed to lift the trophy if Chelsea win.