SOCCER:QUEENS PARK Rangers will increase security, with a greater police presence, for the FA Cup fourth-round tie with Chelsea on Saturday week. There are concerns that an already hostile atmosphere will be heightened due to John Terry's imminent court appearance for alleged racist abuse of the Rangers defender Anton Ferdinand.
Although talks are at an early stage, as QPR progressed in the competition only on Tuesday when defeating MK Dons 1-0 in a replay, it is understood more police will be inside and outside the stadium for a derby match to be played four days before Terry’s hearing at West London magistrates’ court.
The Chelsea captain is charged with committing a racially aggravated public order offence during an altercation with Ferdinand at Loftus Road on October 23rd. Terry denies the charge.
Ian Taylor, a QPR spokesman, said: “As with every other fixture we host at Loftus Road, all procedures are pre-planned with the emergency services and local authorities, and this will be no different for the visit of Chelsea in the FA Cup. Our priority is always to ensure the safety and enjoyment of both sets of supporters, and stewarding, security and policing numbers will reflect that.”
Regarding the alleged racist incident between Terry and Ferdinand, the latter’s fellow defender Danny Gabbidon said: “We try to move on. There’s always another game and you focus on that.”
Ferdinand is “an experienced player and [he has] played in big games”, Gabbidon added. “It can be tough when everyone is talking about it, and your family is getting threats from people. It’s not nice. But he’s level-headed and he will let his football do the talking.”
Elsewhere, Nigel de Jong’s future at Manchester City is looking increasingly uncertain after he was moved to the edges of Roberto Mancini’s plans during a contract dispute that has left the club open to offers for the midfielder at the end of the season.
De Jong was one of Mancini’s key players last season but has made only four starts in this campaign after falling behind Yaya Toure, Gareth Barry and James Milner in the pecking order. Mancini also wants to sign another midfielder, Daniele De Rossi from Roma, and though the chances of that happening are receding, his interest partly stems from not being fully convinced De Jong is capable of re-establishing himself as a regular first-team player.
That may constitute a surprise given De Jong’s popularity with the City supporters, but Mancini has not been hugely impressed by the player’s contribution this season and is not making any moves behind the scenes to tie him to a new contract.
De Jong turned down a contract offer worth more than £100,000 (€120,000) a week last summer and City have made no plans to reopen talks with the player’s agent, Rodger Linse. The Netherlands international will have a year remaining on his contract in the summer and, with his transfer value already depreciating, City will entertain the idea of selling rather than risk losing him to a free transfer the following year.
The 27-year-old, who was hampered by a foot injury at the start of the season, is not available in this transfer window, but his potential availability is already well known among other Premier League clubs.
Neil Warnock had floated the idea of trying to sign him when he was manager at QPR and, while it is unlikely De Jong would have wanted to join a club who are now in the relegation zone, his contract situation means there will inevitably be other potential buyers looking to sign a World Cup finalist at a reduced price.
