Terry gets Villas-Boas backing

Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas has backed his captain John Terry in the wake of an alleged racist slur against Anton Ferdinand.

Terry was waiting to hear if QPR defender Ferdinand would make a formal complaint about his altercation with the England skipper during Sunday's west London derby at Loftus Road. Terry has categorically denied racially abusing Ferdinand, who he admitted had accused him of making a racist remark but insisted his own response was actually a denial.

Villas-Boas said: "He has put out his statement and we fully back John. John is a player who (represents) this country to the highest level internationally. He is a player of great responsibilities."

He added: "He said to me the incident was a big misunderstanding. That's why he put his statement out straight away. I find it strange when people don't trust the words of a representative from your country."

Ferdinand has yet to come out in support of that chain of events, while the police confirmed they were investigating an anonymous complaint made against Terry.

Villas-Boas claimed Terry and Ferdinand cleared the air in the Chelsea dressing room after Sunday's game.

"Anton was present in our dressing room," he said. "For us, it was end of story and it still is. It's just a misunderstanding and something blown out of all proportion. People who represent this country should have better and fuller support.

"The clubs are in touch with each other. We have full backing for our player. The rest, we have to wait and see."

The Metropolitan Police stated they were "assessing" the complaint against Terry.

A police spokesman said: "We can confirm that police have been notified of an incident on Sunday 23 October involving alleged racial abuse. This is currently being assessed by officers from Hammersmith and Fulham."