KOTA KINABALU (Malaysia): 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 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.
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.
Action could also be taken against Ferdinand, who – like Terry – admitted using obscene language during the Premier League match that led to 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.” (Agencies)
