Football: Chelsea, QPR appeal for Cup calm

LONDON: Chelsea and QPR warned supporters that ‘abuse and discrimination has no place in football or society’ as the Premier League sides prepare for Saturday’s FA Cup meeting. The game brings together Chelsea captain John Terry and QPR defender Anton Ferdinand, who were embroiled in a racism row after the Blues’ 1-0 defeat to their London rivals in October. Terry has been charged with racially abusing Ferdinand during the game and will appear in court on February 1. Amidst speculation around whether the pair will shake hands before the game, the two clubs have presented a united front in asking for the game to be a ‘celebration of football’.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 26^th, 2012.