The pre-match handshakes between players in QPR and Chelsea’s FA Cup grudge match were cancelled on Saturday, the Football Association has confirmed.

The decision followed intense speculation that QPR defender Anton Ferdinand had planned to snub Chelsea captain John Terry in the traditional handshake ritual just before kick-off.

Saturday’s match is the first between the two west London rivals since a stormy Premier League battle in October which ultimately led to Terry being charged with racially abusing Ferdinand.