Anton Ferdinand snubs John Terry in pregame handshake
Queens Park Rangers defender Anton Ferdinand refused to shake hands with Chelsea defenders John Terry and Ashley Cole before their English Premier League game Saturday in West London, continuing a feud that began last season.
Terry, who is white, was accused by Ferdinand, who is black, of racial abuse during a game last season. Terry went to trial and was acquitted of the charge. Cole, who is black, testified on his teammates’ behalf during the trial.
Saturday was their first meeting on the pitch since the Terry’s acquittal in July.
Chelsea sits atop the EPL standings with a three-game winning streak to open the season. QPR has lost twice and has a draw for one point and near the bottom of the 20-team division, considered by most to be the best soccer league in the world.
Although Chelsea, which won the UEFA Champions League last season, is the more prominent club, there is a keen sense of a rivalry between the West London foes. QPR defeated Chelsea, 1-0, in an FA Cup game earlier this year.
This isn’t the first occasion of a high-profile player snubbing an EPL foe during pregame handshakes: Luis Suarez of Liverpool refused the hand of Manchester United’s Patrice Evra before a game in February.
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