Fans will be searched before QPR's FA Cup clash with Chelsea on Saturday after Anton Ferdinand was allegedly sent a "malicious communication".

The Metropolitan Police tonight [Friday] confirmed they were investigating the communication, which was received by Rangers and addressed to Ferdinand.

Widespread reports that the package contained a bullet, or similar, were not confirmed by a Scotland Yard spokesman, who said: "I can confirm we are investigating an allegation of malicious communication received on Friday at QPR Football Club. Officers from Hammersmith and Fulham are investigating."

The incident was serious enough for QPR and Chelsea to agree for "full searches" of spectators to be carried out before they enter Loftus Road for Saturday's game.

A joint statement from both clubs read: "Ahead of tomorrow's [Saturday's] FA Cup fourth-round tie at Loftus Road, we would like to advise supporters from both QPR and Chelsea to arrive early at the stadium.

"Full searches will be carried out ahead of your entry to the ground, so please have your tickets to hand and be ready to be searched.

"Entry to the stadium will be permitted from 10.30am for the midday kick-off.

"We are asking for your full understanding and co-operation."

Ferdinand has reportedly spent £30,000 on personal security ahead of Saturday's game, which was expected to see him face John Terry for the first time since the latter was charged with racially abusing the QPR defender, something Terry denies.

Both clubs had issued strongly-worded statements this week warning supporters they faced arrest, ejection and stadium bans were they to engage in racist behaviour during the match.

Ferdinand, meanwhile, had been reportedly agonising over whether to shake Terry's hand on Saturday, just four days before the latter is expected to enter a not-guilty plea to his racism charge at Westminster Magistrates Court.

Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas said it was "extremely important" the pair shook hands, while QPR counterpart Mark Hughes refused to add to the pressure on Ferdinand.

Villas-Boas said: "When it reaches that moment, the players should set out an example.

"A lot of the situation has been spoken about, but it's good for the players to show that, whatever is happening off the pitch, they are playing against each other."

Hughes said: "Anton could wake up in the morning, think, 'What's the big deal?', and shake hands, or he might feel strongly about it and decide he definitely won't.

"I don't know if he will shake hands - I'm not Anton."

Both managers backed their respective players to cope with the pressure - and possible abuse - they are expected to be subjected to on Saturday.

Hughes said of Ferdinand: "He's given me no sign that anything is weighing heavily on him, he wants to play and his team-mates want him to play.

"He'll get support from them and from me so that will be enough and obviously our fans will back him wholeheartedly."

Hughes warned that supporters would be ejected if they repeated the now-infamous, "Anton Ferdinand, you know what you are", chant.

He added: "The best thing you can do when people are giving you stick is go out and play well and win the game."

Villas-Boas said of Terry: "John Terry the person is a person I have great empathy with, great respect for.

"A player who was involved in my knowledge making and my process as a manager, and a person I will always hold as a friend whichever route our lives take."

Terry has also been subject of taunts since the racism allegations first emerged.

Villas-Boas said: "Chelsea players get stick from every opposition crowd. No opposition crowd loves you or incentivates you.

"It's a London derby fuelled by emotion, and the fact Chelsea lost there in dramatic circumstances (in October) makes it an even more emotional game."

Chelsea have vowed to ban anyone caught racially abusing Ferdinand from Stamford Bridge.