Anton Ferdinand to be escorted to ground

Queens Park Rangers defender Anton Ferdinand has paid out £30,000 on extra personal security for the FA Cup match with Chelsea, according to The Sun.

The 26-year-old will be escorted to and from Loftus Road in the wake of the John Terry race row, with the Crown Prosecution Service prosecuting the Chelsea defender for alleged racist remarks.

Ferdinand is understood to have strengthened his personal security after receiving a death threat in November, and is said to have installed panic buttons in his home.

QPR and Chelsea both released a statement on Wednesday in an attempt to cool the atmosphere ahead of the tie, which could also see Gary Cahill given his Blues debut.