Di Matteo not foreseeing handshake issues

Chelsea manager Roberto Di Matteo expects all the players will shake hands before tomorrow’s Barclays Premier League clash with Manchester United.

The last few days appear to have heralded the first signs of peace breaking out between the Ferdinand brothers and Blues duo John Terry and Ashley Cole.

Cole, who gave evidence in support of Terry at his criminal racism trial in July, was branded a “choc ice” by United centre-back Rio Ferdinand in the wake of the not guilty verdict in those proceedings.

There were fears the pair would not shake hands before tomorrow’s game, but both appear prepared to do so.

Di Matteo said: “I’ve always said that from our point of view, we’ll play our part. I don’t foresee any problems in that sense. I hope that all the players will shake hands.”

There have also been suggestions Ferdinand was prepared to offer his hand to former England defensive partner Terry at Stamford Bridge, even though the latter is still serving his four-game racism ban.

Confirming Terry would be at the game, Di Matteo said he would endorse such a gesture, saying: “I’m always for that, yes.”

Chelsea came under heavy fire for merely fining Terry after he was found guilty by the Football Association of racially abusing QPR defender Anton Ferdinand just over a year ago.

The various punishments meted out to the Blues captain prompted a backlash among some black players towards both the club and the anti-racism movement.

“Everybody has an opinion and we must respect that,” Di Matteo added. “We behave the way we think is right for our club and that’s how we’re going to go forward.”

Some players took direct action by refusing to wear T-shirts endorsing the Kick It Out campaign during last week’s fixtures, including the Ferdinand brothers.

It is the turn of Chelsea’s squad to sport them during the warm-up before tomorrow’s game.

Di Matteo said: “We are supporting the Kick It Out campaign. It’s going to be an individual choice for our players. We’re not going to force anybody to, or not to, wear it.

“But my personal opinion is that we should wear it and we should raise awareness about it and show the support for it.”

United boss Alex Ferguson earlier welcomed this week’s public declaration of peace from the Ferdinand family but acknowledged the racism issue would not disappear just because of a handshake tomorrow.

“Rio and Anton did the right thing,” the Scot said. “But the race issue is bubbling along. It’s not just completely gone away.

“The awareness is getting stronger and the PFA are doing their best to support it. But the FA, UEFA and FIFA have got to do more. That is without question.

“As far as the actual game itself, I think we just need to carry on and concentrate on the football side.”