Tony Fernandes, the Chairman of Queens Park Rangers, and Bruce Buck, the Chairman of Chelsea Football Club, have issued a joint statement ahead of this weekend's FA Cup fourth round tie at Loftus Road. '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. 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 QPR or Chelsea 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. We would urge fans witnessing any form of abuse to report it to a matchday steward or text confidentially on 07557435421. Let's make Saturday's match a celebration of football. 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.' http://www.qpr.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10373~2587142,00.html
"it's a fact that hatred and abuse is not what being a fan of QPR or Chelsea is about". I hate Chelski, I hate John Terry. Is hate too strong a word???..............No!
Well Ill be abusing JT all game. It worked last time! The atmosphere was amazing and so intense that Chelski just couldnt handle it. Thats one of the main reasons we won!
Hang on a minute?? Was it a QPR player caught on camera calling a Chelsea player a "Black Cun7"? No. Was it QPR supporters that were heard on live TV chanting racial songs about a Chelsea player? No. Was it QPR supporters that have been reported for singing racial songs about a Chelsea player on a train on the way back from Norwich this weekend? No. So, why are we being tarnished with the same brush as those mindless idiots??
Oh jeez.......... The statement has been made to prevent exactly the reaction you're displaying here. Had it come just from Chelsea, there would have been more finger-pointing and abuse hurling about their apparent 'racist hooligan element' by QPR 'fans', and a reaction against that. Had the statement been made by QPR alone, then we'd have received - quite rightly - abuse about out 'holier than thou' attitude, when Fernandes tells our supporters not to drag the name of the club down to the 'level of those oiks down the road'. Result: more aggro. Because it's been made by BOTH clubs,it means that both clubs are aware there could be trouble, and both clubs are telling their fans to keep it calm. Is it too much to ask that we can do the same on here?
I agree that perhaps there should have been a statement appealing for supporters to be sensible at the game. It's just that the wording doesn't sit well with me, I guarantee it was written by Chelsea. Which team name is mentioned first, immediately after the words hatred and abuse............trust me, that's no coincidence and isn't because we're at home.
I hope all Rs fans will be abusing Terry as much as possible and I guarantee not one person will grass. They are just crapping themselves that we are going to give them loads of abuse and they will sing back racist songs. The warning should have been on their site only. We arent the team with racist players and racist fans.
Lots of 'guarantees' on this thread. Dunno how you can be certain of that. And the only way you'll be able to show your last statement is correct is by NOT hurling any abuse - whether racist or not - at any player or fan. Otherwise, the word 'hypocrite' comes sadly to my mind....
I have to say that I hope they don't take this too far. At every game players get abuse, and at rival games there should be even more. I hope people dont get punished for any normal abuse. Only racist abuse should not be unacceptable!
Willy, I'm not saying that our fans are whiter than white when it comes to abusing opposing players and fans, I've heard and seen some horrific things at Loftus Road down the years. All I'm saying is that the wording appears to suggest that the incident that has prompted the statement is due to both clubs, when it isn't. There was no need for a statement before the league game or the 2 cup games at Stamford Bridge in recent years. The one and only reason they feel a need to say something now is because of what John Terry said to Anton Ferdinand and the racial chanting at Chelsea games and on trains since.
No - they are saying this as a Joint Statement because both sets of supporters are responsible for staying calm and not kicking off. If any fan is going to the game expecting to kick off, then can I suggest they don't go, or change their expectations? It's really quite simple, I fail to see why people don't understand.
Saying Terry is a racist or his mums a thief is a fact. You cant be thrown out for that, you can for racist or homophobic chants which Im sure our fans will not do but theres a very good chance the other side will. Theres nothing hypocritical about hurling abuse at a serial scumbag, he deserves it. Something you completely miss.
I remember the official release on their site that only served to wind up our fans even more. Now that is massively hypocritical and they are now crapping themselves that their fans will chant something racist. "The noises from the Rs camp are redolent of the clichés produced by the underdog before a cup final" "By the way, travelling Chelsea fans should be aware that Rangers policy is that no alcohol will be on sale in away end at their ground. Perhaps they believe, as we hope, that the home fans will be the only ones needing to drown their sorrows. "
"ensure that anyone using discriminatory or inflammatory language is identified and that the strongest possible action is taken against them" So Terry won't be playing then?
Its laughable they could defuse the whole thing by not playing him but the hypocrisy and the statement from them has just wound the fans up even further.
Terry has not been found guilty, innocent till proven guilty I believe is the term. Hence him being a racist NOT a fact, yet...
