QPR receive 'malicious communication'

Soccer:London police are investigating an alleged "malicious communication" received by QPR on the eve of the FA Cup meeting with Chelsea at Loftus Road. The match will see Anton Ferdinand come face to face with John Terry for the first time since the Blues captain was alleged to have racially abused his fellow defender during a league match in October.

Some reports have claimed a bullet was mailed to Ferdinand.

Terry is to face criminal charges and is expected to enter a not-guilty plea at Westminster Magistrates Court in four days' time, having repeatedly denied the charge against him.

A spokesman for Scotland Yard said: "I can confirm we are investigating an allegation of malicious communication received today at QPR Football Club. Officers from Hammersmith and Fulham are investigating."

QPR manager Mark Hughes, who was not at the club at the time, has refused to put pressure on Ferdinand to shake Terry's hand before the game after Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas claimed it was "extremely important" he did so.

Hughes said today: "If he feels it is not appropriate, that has to be his own decision. It won't be influenced by myself or the club."

Asked if it was important Ferdinand did shake Terry's hand, Villas-Boas said: "Extremely important, extremely important."

He added: "This game is based on good values more than anything else. These players should continue to promote these good values."

Villas-Boas confirmed the matter had been discussed with Terry, who looks certain to offer his hand to Ferdinand. The Chelsea boss said: "Everybody has been having conversations, from the top, to the players, to the manager."

Neither Villas-Boas nor Hughes had any fears over their respective defenders' mentality going into the game.

Villas-Boas said of Terry: "I have to count on the player, and the player is fit and available for the game."

Hughes said: "Anton is very clear in his mind, as I am, that irrespective of what surrounds the game, and the speculation and conversations, that he is fit, he is well and able to play."

Prior to news of the "malicious communication" broke, Hughes played down reports Ferdinand had spent €36,000 (£30,000) on personal security to ensure a trouble-free journey to Loftus Road, and joked: "We're actually in a hotel and travelling to the ground by coach so it is 30 grand he didn't have to spend."

Chelsea have already vowed to ban any fan found racially abusing Ferdinand from Stamford Bridge, including those who sing the now-notorious "Anton Ferdinand, you know what you are" chant.

Hughes suggested QPR stood ready to eject anyone from Loftus Road heard doing so tomorrow.

"I think we understand what is meant by that," Hughes said of the chant. "If there is inappropriate chanting or behaviour then you get ejected from the ground and rightly so."

Extra police have been laid on for a game which will kick-off at 12pm in a bid to limit any trouble, while both clubs issued strongly-worded statements this week warning supporters to behave.

Villas-Boas admitted there were also "extra responsibilities" for both sets of players to keep calm amid what could be a hostile atmosphere tomorrow.

Chelsea had two players sent off in October's league meeting but Villas-Boas insisted there was no need to warn his squad about their behaviour prior to kick-off.

"I won't speak to the players specifically about that before the game, not at all," said the Blues boss, who predicted the match would pass off without trouble. The environment was outstanding the last time we played there at Loftus Road, so I expect it to be the same."

Hughes said: "We as a club obviously have spoken quite closely with Chelsea and the police. I just hope everybody is sensible and enjoys the game for what it is, a fantastic cup tie that we're all looking forward to. We basically want to be talking about the football and what happens on the pitch."