Anton Ferdinand's snub of John Terry in the pre-match handshake overshadowed Chelsea's 0-0 draw at local rival Queens Park Rangers on Saturday, a result that ended the European champions' perfect start in the English Premier League.
Terry was also booed and jeered throughout a game played in a hostile atmosphere at Loftus Road, two months after being acquitted in court of racially abusing Ferdinand in the corresponding league match last year.
After opening with three straight wins, Chelsea will be happy with a draw after seeing QPR waste great chances in the second half through Park Ji-sung and Bobby Zamora to stay without a victory in this campaign.
Belgium winger Eden Hazard came closest to scoring for Chelsea, which stays top of the standings on 10 points, one clear of Manchester United.
After a match lacking in real quality, it was what went on before the game that proved to be the talking point.
Ferdinand blanked Terry and Ashley Cole, who testified on behalf of his Chelsea teammate in court, as the players crossed for the traditional handshake. The Chelsea players appeared to have their arms outstretched.
Park also refused to shake the hand of Terry, perhaps in loyalty to Rio Ferdinand - the older brother of Anton - after spending seven years at Manchester United with the defender.
''They had the discussion and I was made aware that some were prepared to shake the opposition's hand and some weren't,'' QPR manager Mark Hughes said.
''I didn't know which individuals and I wasn't going to push the point. It was a personal decision for each and every one of them.''
Chelsea manager Roberto di Matteo praised the display of Terry, who battled through the pain of an injured left knee in the final 15 minutes and also cleared off the line from Zamora's golden chance when the striker pounced on a poor back pass from John Obi Mikel.
The Italian coach also said his players conducted themselves well in front of a fiercely partisan crowd.
''Listen, we offered and we have done our part and if other people feel differently, that's not our problem,'' Di Matteo said. ''I think we should shift the focus onto the football side. We are here for the 90-95 minutes and not what happens before and after the game.
''It's a clean sheet and a draw away from home and we will take it.''
Terry is awaiting the outcome of a Football Association charge, which he denies, relating to the same case.
