ANDRE Villas-Boas has given his full backing to John Terry (pictured) over allegations that his captain racially abused Anton Ferdinand in Sunday's derby at QPR.

The Chelsea boss has also expressed surprise that what he believes to be 'a misunderstanding' has become such a cause celebre. A police investigation is also pending following a public complaint.

“He [Terry] has put out his statement and we fully back John,” Villas-Boas said.

“John is a player who represents this country to the highest level and he's a player of great responsibilities for the country.

"He is confident about it because he spoke to Anton after the game. Anton was present in our dressing room and for us, it was the end of the story."

Villas-Boas added: "John has said to me that the incident is a big misunderstanding. That's why he put his statement out straight away and I find it strange when people don't trust the words of such a representative player of the country.

“It should be that people that represent this country should have better and fuller support, instead of stories based on speculation.

"It was just a great misunderstanding and something blown out of proportion.

The Loftus Road club are making their own investigations into the alleged abuse, but Villas-Boas has refused to condemn Chelsea's neighbours for choosing not to kill the story.

“What I would say is that the clubs are in touch with each other," he said.

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