QPR, Chelsea caution fans

Ahead of Saturday’s FA Cup match between the clubs, Chelsea and QPR have issued a joint statement warning fans of unacceptable behaviour.

The Loftus Road fixture will be the first between the two sides since Chelsea skipper John Terry was charged with racially abusing QPR defender Anton Ferdinand on October 23, a match in which the English Premier League newcomers won 1-0.

Terry is required to appear in court on February 1 and has denied the charge.

Both clubs have taken a precautionary step to avoid trouble on Saturday, with Chelsea chairman Bruce Buck and QPR counterpart Tony Fernandes releasing a statement ahead of the match.

“We have discussed the issues surrounding this weekend’s FA Cup fourth-round tie at Loftus Road and we are both in total agreement that abuse and discrimination has no place in football or society,” the statement said.

“Both clubs enjoy fantastic support. However, we would remind fans that while we want to hear their passion, it’s a fact that hatred and abuse is not what being a fan of Chelsea or QPR is about.”

“The clubs will work together with the police to ensure that anyone using discriminatory or inflammatory language is identified and that the strongest possible action is taken against them.”

“A local derby is always a special occasion and this weekend’s FA Cup tie is a unique opportunity to show the world that hatred has no place in our game, our clubs, or our communities.”

“We would urge fans witnessing any form of abuse to report it to a match-day steward. Let’s make Saturday’s match a celebration of football.”

The timing of the match has been brought forward, with a mid-day kick-off advised by the police in an attempt to minimise crowd trouble.