By Sportsmail Reporter

|

Rio Ferdinand showed his support for the Kick It Out campaign by wearing a t-shirt and he also buried the hatchet with England team-mate Ashley Cole by shaking hands with him before the game.

Last week both Ferdinand brothers opted not to wear the campaign's t-shirts, but after Anton wore one in the build up to QPR's game with Arsenal, older brother Rio followed suit on Sunday at Stamford Bridge.

However, Ashley Young did not, the only United player to snub the anti-racism body.

The last few days appear to have heralded the first signs of peace breaking out between the Ferdinand brothers and Blues duo John Terry and Cole.

Shake on it: Rio Ferdinand and Ashley Cole shake hands ahead of Chelsea's game with Manchester United

Shake on it: Rio Ferdinand and Ashley Cole shake hands ahead of Chelsea's game with Manchester United

Wearing the shirt: Rio Ferdinand warms up with team-mates Anderson, Paul Scholes and Wayne Rooney wearing anti-racism t-shirts

Wearing the shirt: Rio Ferdinand warms up with team-mates Anderson, Paul Scholes and Wayne Rooney wearing anti-racism t-shirts

Cole, who gave evidence in support of Terry at his criminal racism trial in July, was branded a 'choc ice' by United centre-back Rio Ferdinand in the wake of the not guilty verdict in those proceedings, and this was shown when they shook hands before Sunday's game at Stamford Bridge.

Cole, who was ignored by Anton before the 0-0 draw with QPR at Loftus Road on September 15, had been considering snubbing Rio at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

No shirt: Manchester United's Ashley Young is seen not wearing a Kick it Out t-shirt

No shirt: Manchester United's Ashley Young is seen not wearing a Kick it Out t-shirt

Statement of support: Ashley Cole warms up wearing an anti-racism t-shirt

Statement of support: Ashley Cole warms up wearing an anti-racism t-shirt

The Chelsea left back discussed the issue with manager Roberto Di Matteo before the Barclays Premier League game and decided to move on.

Cole and Rio were close friends before the Chelsea defender agreed to give evidence for team-mate John Terry in his race case involving  Anton at Westminster Magistrates Court.

Show of support: Rio Ferdinand wore the Kick It Out t-shirt ahead of Manchester United's game with Chelsea

Show of support: Rio Ferdinand wore the Kick It Out t-shirt ahead of Manchester United's game with Chelsea

Snub: Rio Ferdinand opted not to wear a Kick It Out t-shirt last week, but did on Sunday

Snub: Rio Ferdinand opted not to wear a Kick It Out t-shirt last week, but did on Sunday

Cole has remained silent on the issue but was fined 90,000 after calling the FA a  '#BUNCHOFT****' in a tweet when the independent regulatory commission accused him of being an 'unreliable witness'.

The Ferdinands have also called a truce with Terry - who is banned for the game against United - after a troubled year.

Some black players took direct action by refusing to wear T-shirts endorsing the Kick It Out campaign during last week's fixtures, including the Ferdinand brothers.

Saturday afternoon's match at Emirates Stadium was dedicated as Arsenal For Everyone, the club's imitative against racism and all kinds of discrimination - with Anton joining the rest of players from both sides in support of the initiative.

Support: Anton Ferdinand has decided this week to support the Kick It Out campaign with his T-shirt

Support: Anton Ferdinand has decided this week to support the Kick It Out campaign with his T-shirt

Sportsmail revealed on Saturday that Terry will take the first steps towards repairing his tarnished reputation by promoting the much-maligned campaign in his programme notes before the match with Manchester United.

The Chelsea skipper missed the game as he serves the second of a four game suspension for making a racist remark towards Ferdinand.

But Terry made reference to the good work the anti-racism organisation Kick It Out has done to rid British football of the problem in his captain's column in Sunday's match-day programme.

Terry's moves comes after Rio and Anton Ferdinand called a truce in their fight over racism.

No shake: Anton Ferdinand avoids shaking hands with Ashley Cole in September

No shake: Anton Ferdinand avoids shaking hands with Ashley Cole in September

In a statement, they expressed their disappointment with the actions of the FA and the Professional Footballers' Association during the last year.

It said: 'It has been a year since the incident at Loftus Road (between Terry and Anton Ferdinand). In that time, some of the deep divisions that exist in football have been exposed.

'During the coming months there will be ongoing discussions, we are sure, on finding a way forward. We intend to participate in these discussions with other current and ex-professionals of all races, from the grass roots upwards.'

It continued: 'On the issue of Kick It Out, we would like to go on record to say what fantastic work they have done in the past regarding education and awareness. However, times change and organisations need to change with them.

'Although we have been left disappointed by the PFA and the FA's actions over the last year, as a family we are committed to working with football's existing organisations towards the betterment of the game and to achieve immediate action.'

The comments below have been moderated in advance.

well done rio, now teach your younger brother "to put things behind and move forward"..

hopefully we wont have daily dross from ferdinand , roberts and co to listen too anymore

Oh, thank goodness Saint Rio has agreed to accept the handshake of a mere mortal. I mean, it's not like Saint Rio hasn't effectively branded Cole a "race traitor" recently, is it?! I think it's Saint Rio that should be asking for Cole's forgiveness, not the other way round! Ferdinand is the biggest hypocrite and one those least deserving of respect in football! Can't stand the guy!

The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.