QPR's Ferdinand silent on Terry acquittal

KOTA KINABALU, Malaysia (AFP) –

Queens Park Rangers defender Anton Ferdinand gestures as he leaves the airport with his teammates upon their arrival in Kota Kinabalu, the capital of Malaysia’s Sabah state on Borneo island on July 14. Ferdinand declined to comment on John Terry being cleared of racially abusing him, as the QPR defender arrived in Malaysia for a pre-season tour.

Anton Ferdinand declined to comment on Saturday on John Terry being cleared of racially abusing him, as the QPR defender arrived in Malaysia with his team-mates for a pre-season tour.

Chelsea captain Terry was found not guilty on Friday at a court in London, in a high-profile trial that overshadowed the English Premier League and the national team for months.

Ferdinand — younger brother of Terry’s former international team-mate Rio Ferdinand — and the Queens Park Rangers squad touched down in Kota Kinabalu, the capital of Sabah state, on Borneo island.

Met by a throng of reporters at the airport, Ferdinand said “no comment” when asked about the not-guilty verdict.

QPR chief executive Philip Beard added: “We have nothing to comment on Anton, except that he is part of the squad that is travelling with us. We shall see how things take shape over the next few days.”

Ferdinand’s parents on Friday also declined to comment as they left court.

The trial related to an incident involving Terry and Ferdinand during a Premier League match on October 23 last year. Terry was stripped of the England captaincy in February over the allegations.

As a consequence, Fabio Capello resigned as England manager, just months before England — defender Terry included — competed in the European Championships.

Terry could yet face disciplinary action from England’s Football Association despite being cleared in court. The FA said it would continue its own disciplinary process, which was suspended so as not to prejudice the trial.

QPR, owned by Malaysian businessman Tony Fernandes, will play a friendly against a local Sabah squad on Tuesday before heading to the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur to meet Super League champions Kelantan in a friendly on Friday.

They will then fly to Indonesia and play against local team Persebaya Surabaya on July 23.

Asked about speculation linking the London club to Liverpool‘s Craig Bellamy, Beard said: “The manager has already made some signings to beef up the squad and any more signings will be up to the manager, Mark Hughes.”