Smh... kick racism out of football.
The Premier League has told QPR and Chelsea it has no plans to drop the pre-match handshake before Saturday's West London derby, with both clubs indicating they will "respect" it.
QPR's Anton Ferdinand has indicated he will not shake hands with Chelsea defenders John Terry or Ashley Cole.
In July, Chelsea captain Terry was acquitted of racially abusing Ferdinand in last year's corresponding match.
"We'll go ahead with it, yes." Di Matteo said. "We'll respect the rules."
"And respect the protocol that is in place from the Premier League and set a positive standard to the millions of people watching across the world."
Senior officials from Chelsea and QPR have been in talks to defuse the growing tension surrounding the match at Loftus Road but the Premier League has intervened to say protocol must be followed.
Although Terry was cleared in court of racially abusing Ferdinand, the former England captain still faces a separate FA charge, which he denies. That hearing is expected to begin on 24 September.
"They've recovered [from minor injuries], had a couple of days [of] training and we expect them to be available," Di Matteo said of Terry and Cole.
Hughes has held talks with his players about the match, and said: "We will be guided by the Premier League and will respect the handshake if that happens.
"It's not my decision. It's governed by the Premier League and if we're told to go ahead then we will do it."
The Premier League are adamant the pre-match handshake should remain part of the English game, despite opposition from a number of managers.
Hughes hinted he had made his views clear. ''There's a lot of debate, I have my own views which I raised at Premier League level before the season began.
At this stage, the most likely scenario is that both teams will shake hands but the clubs will leave each player to make up his own mind on how to act.
''Everyone has a mind of their own and they will make a decision," Hughes added. "We will have to wait and see."
Meanwhile, both clubs have issued statements on their official websites in an attempt to quell any trouble between fans.
While QPR's statement was a reminder about good fan behaviour, Chelsea warned any trouble would be met with the highest punishment.
"Both Chelsea and QPR will work together with the police to ensure that anyone using discriminatory or inflammatory language on Saturday is identified, and that the strongest possible action is taken against them," the statement read.[BBC]
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