Death threats force Ferdinand out of home

Anton Ferdinand was forced to flee from his house earlier this month following a serious death threat, QPR manager Neil Warnock revealed.

The threat came after the race row involving the defender and England captain John Terry earlier this season, in a matter that has been handed to the Crown Prosecution Service.

The police’s concern about the threat was high enough that he was advised to leave his house, and the manager believes the fiasco has caused Ferdinand to suffer from a slump in form.

“He’s had a lot on his plate, really. You never know how things like this affect people,” Warnock said.

“Before the (Manchester) City game, he had to move out of his house at 8pm – so that was not a good preparation for him.”

“There were all sorts of things going on behind the scenes. I felt sorry for him.”

“With all that was going on off the field, we have to remember that he is only a human being and you’ve got to get your preparation right.”

“Unfortunately, we didn’t have anybody else to put in. Everybody else was injured.”

QPR have won only once since their match against Chelsea in which the saga erupted.

“Before this blew up, we were getting clean sheets and the two centre-halves were outstanding,” Warnock said.

“I just want them to get back to that level.”