LONDON: Chelsea manager Roberto Di Matteo has begged warring Queens Park Rangers and his stars to shake hands — for our children’s sake, The Sun reported.

Chelsea skipper John Terry faces an FA charge of racially abusing QPR defender Anton Ferdinand during a match at Loftus Road last October.

All eyes will be on them and their teammates today when QPR host Chelsea at Loftus Road.

“I will speak to my players and, from our point of view, there are no issues," said Di Matteo.

“Our players are fine. They are respecting the rules and we’re going to go ahead with the pre-match handshakes.

“It’s something that shows respect to the opposition and is a rule we all have to respect.

“The Premier League is a global brand watched all over the world and players do have a responsibility. They are role models and children watch them.

“The majority of them have good, high standards and understand that, with the high media exposure we have these days, they need to act responsibly in front of the TV cameras.”

When QPR played Chelsea in the league and FA Cup last season, the handshake was abandoned in fear of prejudicing Terry’s court case over his alleged racial abuse of Ferdinand.

Chelsea leftback Ashley Cole is viewed by some as aiding and abetting his captain by sticking up for him in the proceedings, which cleared Terry.

Both Cole and Terry have been passed fit for today’s highly-charged encounter and are likely to start.

“To be able to survive at the top, you need to be mentally strong,” said Di Matteo.

- mD