THE HANDSHAKE THROUGHOUT THE AGES
StrumSolo > 28/09/2013, 10:52
Archaeological ruins and texts from Ancient Greece show that this friendly greeting dates back to at least 500 BC, and the first 2,500 years or so of it's proud history passed by without incident.
However, the advent of the Premier League Pantomime in 1992 would change all that, and the influx of Sky money is seen as the beginning of the end by many historians. Even so, it wouldn't be until 2006 that we'd witness our first real clasping scandal.
The fallout from that fateful first failed embrace between may seem quaint by today's standards, but its influence shouldn't be underestimated. These were the trailblazers, and much like there wouldn't have been Nirvana were it not for Sonic Youth, the Luis Suarezes and John Terrys of this world owe a great deal to Arse/Pards.
And it's towards JT that our attention must now turn. Stamford Bridge, February 2010, and Man City are the visitors. Wayne Bridge is included in their starting line-up and the pre-match multishake is the first public showdown between the two since the papers exposed Terry's affair with Bridge's ex-missus. The build-up is feverish. Will they? Won't they? The nation hasn't seen the like since the days of Ross and Rachel... Will they? Won't they?
To February 2012 now (what is it about that forsaken month?) and the first Man Utd v Liverpool game since Luis Suarez was found to have racially abused Patrice Evra. To be fair to the Frenchman, he tried to put the sanctity of the ritual above personal grievances (quite right too, the handshake is bigger than any individual) but Suarez, ever the controversial little scamp, though not before some unconventional arm-grabbing from Evra.
Cue outrage from literally everyone.
This tale was to have a happy ending though, and when the sides next met in September 2012, the pair shook and made up. Heart-warming.
Unfortunately, the good work done in that match will forever be a footnote in the annuls as the previous Saurday, Chelsea made the short trip across West London to Loftus Road, the home of QPR. This was to be the first meeting between the sides since John Terry (him again) had racially abused Anton Ferdinand the season before. . Four mis-shakes, a new record, a new low.
Thankfully, aside from a minor spat between Sir Alex Ferguson and Rafa Benitez earlier this year in the cup, the lessons of 2012 appear to have been learnt. So lets hope AVB and Jose Mourinho take heed at White Hart Lane today. Talk all the trash you want in your press conferences chaps, but when you step out on to the turf this afternoon, be mindful of the cameras, be mindful of the consequences.