Rio Ferdinand is expected to accept a handshake from Chelsea defender John Terry when Manchester United travel to Stamford Bridge on Sunday, The Telegraph reports. The England captain has been accused of racially abusing Rio’s brother Anton and will face up to the United defender next weekend.
Ferdinand has not made a public comment regarding the incident between him and his brother and will not make comments that could inflame an already volatile situation. United players will shake hands with Chelsea and Ferdinand is expected to start and be part of that handshake. The England international was on the bench for United against Liverpool on Saturday and should start against Chelsea.
Chelsea and QPR’s customary handshake before the game was scrapped to try and defuse any volatile moments at Loftus Road and the Blues could ask for the same situation. The Premier League will wait for the clubs to approach them before making a decision on the actions. United are 10 points ahead of Chelsea in the league and will look to extend the gap with victory at Stamford Bridge.
Ferdinand’s United teammate Patrice Evra has also been racially abused by Liverpool striker Luis Suarez and the United vs Liverpool game at Old Trafford in two weeks could prove to be volatile. Suarez makes his return from suspension and it is unknown whether the handshake will be scrapped to stop Evra and Suarez’s emotions running high. The Premier League champions have Stoke City at home to deal with on Tuesday, where Ferdinand could return from injury.
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