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Fernandes backs Ferdinand but wants focus

Tony Fernandes also has interests in Formula One © Sutton Images

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QPR owner Tony Fernandes has given his full backing to Anton Ferdinand as the FA begin an investigation into alleged racist remarks made against the defender by Chelsea and England captain John Terry.

The English game's governing body are looking into whether comments Terry directed towards Ferdinand during the two sides' meeting last weekend were indeed racist. QPR have discussed the matter with their player and will support him throughout the investigation - although in the meantime Fernandes wants everyone at the Loftus Road club to put the incident to one side and concentrate on matters on the pitch.

"We've drawn a line under the matter," Fernandes told the BBC. "It's for the FA.

"Anton met the management, we're fully behind him, but we want to focus on the football now. "It's not for us to throw judgement on the matter. It's in the hands of the correct people. We're fully behind our player.

"I haven't had any direct discussions on this with Anton. He's just thanked us for our support and he's focusing on today's big game. We don't want him to be distracted from the main purpose."

The Malaysian entrepreneur does not believe that there is a widespread problem with racism in Britain, although he believes it is important to properly deal with isolated incidents as and when they arise.

"Coming from a foreign country and having watched football for a long, long time, I don't feel very much racism in football," he said. "It's improved tremendously.

"I'm a different colour as well. I feel very comfortable going to every ground, I think fans are focused on much more positive things.

"I'm not saying it's completely cleared up and we must continue to work at it but I think English football should be proud of the achievement it's made."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.