Queens Park Rangers manager Chris Ramsey says he would shake John Terrys hand after the home derby on 12 April, at which the Chelsea captain is expected to get another hostile reception, four years after being involved in a racism controversy at Loftus Road.
Terry was alleged to have racially abused then-QPR defender Anton Ferdinand during a Premier League game in 2011. The case went to court, where Terry was cleared, but at a subsequent Football Association hearing he was banned for four games and fined £220,000 ($321,500).
Anton has since left QPR, while his brother Rio remains a defender there but is not playing against Chelsea because of an ankle injury.
QPR fans are expected to vent their feelings at Terry again on 12 April, when Ramseys side will be hoping for a victory to ease their relegation fears, while leaders Chelsea aim to take another step towards the Premier League title.
Well, ultimately John Terry is a player of Chelsea and I am the manager of QPR and as a man and as a person I would shake his hand. I dont know what his feelings are towards me and you know, as long as there wasnt anything on the field that was unprofessional by him, I would shake his hand, said Ramsey, one of just six managers from black and minority ethnic backgrounds in the English professional leagues.
Asked about a possibly hostile reaction for Terry at Loftus Road, Ramsey said: Well fans are fans arent they and you know thats a subject that you know brings up different emotions and it would be odd to think there isnt going to be an extra feelings towards that situation.
Ramsey said everyone should learn a lesson and move on. He said: That episode, for British society, sat uncomfortably and its not something that we want to really highlight in football. But its something that happened and its been dealt with. You know, we have to move on and hopefully everybodys learnt something from it.
Chelsea are seven points ahead of second-placed Arsenal and clear favourites to clinch their fourth league crown in 11 seasons and Ramsey accepted the game carried more significance for QPR.
Ramseys side are third from bottom, two points from safety, with six games remaining. They have lost their last five home league games.
