Mark Hughes believes there should be an end to the pre-match handshake after the ritual was cancelled ahead of Chelsea’s FA Cup defeat of Queens Park Rangers.
A late decision to abandon the procedure was taken by the Football Association (FA) following intense speculation about the meeting between Anton Ferdinand and John Terry at Loftus Road.
The two players faced each other for the first time since the Premier League meeting between the two sides when Terry was accused of racially abusing the QPR defender, allegations the Chelsea captain denies.
Terry’s case will be heard in court on Tuesday and with growing tension surrounding the game – Ferdinand was sent a bullet in the post ahead of the fixture – action was taken to spare the two players the confrontation.
Hughes, the QPR manager, welcomed the decision and admitted his club’s request to the FA to change procedures had been made after a Friday night meeting between Rangers officials and players.
“It was absolutely the correct decision,” he said. “There was so much tension hinging on such a brief moment in time, it was clouding the issue: the FA Cup tie.
“The fact we took it out of the equation was the right thing to do. There were discussions yesterday (Friday). We had a meeting as a management and players last night. Chelsea had their views and we all came to the same decision.”
Hughes confirmed some of his players were anxious to support Ferdinand if the defender had opted not to acknowledge Terry’s hand.
“It could well have been an issue,” added the manager. “Players have to make their own decision. Anton was the guy who had to make his own decision whether to shake JT’s hand.
“Obviously, with the group I’ve got, they wanted to support their team-mate as well. So take it out of the equation.
“Why give handshakes if they’re not done with integrity? If they’re not right, why do them at all? They’re an irritation.
“I don’t know who dreamed it up, or why people think it’s vitally important that people do this. Why not do it like in the good old days?”
Both Ferdinand and Terry started the game, which was decided by a second-half penalty from Juan Mata that booked Chelsea’s place in the fifth round.
And Hughes confirmed Ferdinand had played despite being sent a distressing package.
“He was sent a letter with some bullet pellet in it. We gave it straight to the police and let them deal with it.
“There was a letter, too. I’m not going to divulge the contents. We were right to be concerned with the contents of the letter. It wasn’t nice.”
Andre Villas-Boas also supported the decision to abandon the handshake and avoid a potential flashpoint.
“It was a wise decision, given the expectancy around that what could happen in the handshake,” said the Chelsea manager.
Villas-Boas believes Terry’s subsequent display demonstrated the player’s ability to maintain his level of performance despite off-field distractions.
“Since we played Aston Villa, we’ve organised ourselves a bit better in defence, not conceding many goals. It’s re-paying us. We look more solid. Individually, from John, it was an excellent performance.
“Very focused. He managed to get the off-field events out of his mind and concentrate fully on the game.”
Chelsea’s afternoon was marred by an injury to Ramires that saw the Brazil midfielder stretchered off, but Villas-Boas hopes the injury is not as bad as first feared.
“It looks like a medial ligament injury,” he said.
“Not so bad in terms of knee injuries. He will have the MRI tomorrow and we will then know the full extent but hopefully he can avoid having an operation.”