Mark Hughes to let players make handshake decision

By Barney Corkhill, Editor | 14 September 2012

QPR manager Mark Hughes will let his players make up their own minds on whether or not to shake John Terry's hand when they face Chelsea tomorrow.

Queens Park Rangers manager Mark Hughes has revealed that he will let his players decide on whether or not they want to shake hands with John Terry before their match against Chelsea tomorrow.

The match will be the first time that the two sides have met since Terry was cleared of racially abusing QPR defender Anton Ferdinand, although the Chelsea skipper is still set to undergo an FA investigation.

The teams did not shake hands before their previous two meetings, but the Premier League have decided to re-introduce normal procedures for tomorrow's game. Hughes, however, will let his team make up their own minds.

"We've had a discussion with the players but that's between myself and them. We don't have to broadcast that," said the QPR manager.

"We'll have to wait and see [if Ferdinand shakes Terry's hand]. Everybody has a mind of their own and will make a personal decision.

"It's unfortunate that they're in a situation where it's in the public domain. Anton is fine, there's no problem with him."

Several players could also refuse to shake the hand of Ashley Cole, who appeared as a character witness for Terry during his trial.