Very interesting decision the Premier League has taken ahead of Sunday’s Premier League fixture between Chelsea and Queens Park Rangers. The Premier League has decided that there will be no pre-match hand shake due to the legal situation involving John Terry and Anton Ferdinand.
A statement on the its website read:
“The Premier League position on the pre-match handshake convention remains consistent. In all normal circumstances it must be observed,”
“However, after discussions with both Chelsea and Queens Park Rangers about the potential and specific legal context in relation to John Terry and Anton Ferdinand the decision has been taken to suspend the handshake convention for Sunday’s match.”
Terry who had to be stripped of his England captaincy following the row will have a chance to clear his name when trial begins on July 9th. Meanwhile QPR’s Antoine Ferdinand has maintained that he is in the right frame of mind to play in the fixture despite the hostile environment that he and his team mates are likely to face in at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea on the other hand will be buoyed by their impressive display against Barcelona as they seek to continue their surge up the table standings. A win for the Blues would bring them to within a point of 4th placed Newcastle that is if they Magpies lose to Swansea tomorrow.
Chelsea also still have to worry about Tottenham who are one point above them in 5th place. Tottenham welcome strugglers Blackburn Rovers to White Hart Lane as they look to recover from 3 consecutive losses that have completely turned their season around.
A win would keep the pressure on Chelsea with just four games left to play in the season. Should Chelsea fail to secure a top four spot, the only other way they can qualify for next season’s Champions League will be the hard way- beating Bayern in the final. Though at this point even that is possible.
photo credit © ScROs
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