QPR and Chelsea put racism claims behind them for FA Cup fourth round tie

By David Gold

January 25 – Queens Park Rangers chairman Tony Fernandes (pictured) and his Chelsea counterpart Bruce Buck have issued a joint statement calling on supporters to make their FA Cup fourth round tie on Saturday (January 28) “a celebration of football”, following the racism allegations made against John Terry when the teams last met.

Back in October Chelsea were beaten 1-0 at QPR in a highly charged Premier League encounter following which a complaint was made alleging Terry had racially abused QPR defender Anton Ferdinand.

Terry vehemently denied the allegation, saying that he thought Ferdinand had accused him of racial abuse, and had merely responded to say that he had not used such terms.

The English Football Association have since received an official complaint from QPR but Chelsea have defended their captain.

Terry (pictured below right) is now due to appear in court on February 1, and since the alleged incident Chelsea have also been forced to condemn fans who chanted “Anton Ferdinand, you know what you are” during a Champions League game at Genk in November.

Another Chelsea fan was arrested after making racist comments about Ferdinand (pictured left) on a train back from their game with Norwich at the weekend.

“We have discussed the issues surrounding this weekend’s FA Cup fourth round tie at Loftus Road and we are both in total agreement that abuse and discrimination has no place in football or society,” read the statement from Fernandes and Buck.

“Both clubs enjoy fantastic support.

“However, we would remind fans that while we want to hear their passion, it’s a fact that hatred and abuse is not what being a fan of QPR or Chelsea is about.

“The clubs will work together with the police to ensure that anyone using discriminatory or inflammatory language is identified and that the strongest possible action is taken against them.

“Let’s make Saturday’s match a celebration of football.

“A local derby is always a special occasion and this weekend’s FA Cup tie is a unique opportunity to show the world that hatred has no place in our game, our clubs, or our communities.”

Racism allegations were also levelled at Liverpool forward Luis Suárez earlier this season by Manchester United’s Patrice Evra following a game between the two sides in October.

Suárez is now serving an eight match ban after being found guilty by the FA, and by coincidence the two teams also meet for the first time since that incident in an FA Cup tie at Anfield on Saturday.

Contact the writer of this story at zib.l1734791937labto1734791937ofdlr1734791937owedi1734791937sni@d1734791937log.d1734791937ivad1734791937