No handshakes at Loftus Road

There were no pre-match handshakes between players from Queens Park Rangers and Chelsea this afternoon.

The traditional greeting was scrapped by the Football Association in an attempt to defuse tension regarding the ongoing race row between Chelsea skipper John Terry and QPR defender Anton Ferdinand.

"Following discussions on Friday evening and Saturday morning involving senior officials from QPR, Chelsea and the FA, it has been agreed there will not be the usual team handshake before today's FA Cup with Budweiser fourth-round proper tie at Loftus Road," read a statement on the FA's website.

"The FA agreed to the request by both clubs in an attempt to further diffuse tensions before the match."

Doubts had been raised this morning as to whether Ferdinand would shake Terry's hand.