The Rational Ref | Forced handshakes should get brush-off
Unnecessary ritual of 'pressing the flesh' is merely an opportunity for players to indulge in gamesmanship and unsporting behaviour
Handshakes in soccer matches are like milkshakes in fast food chains - sickly sweet, artificial and bad for you. In truth, because ceremonial handshakes are so insincere and ostentatious, they are just another opportunity for players to engage in gamesmanship.
That is exactly what happened between John Terry and Anton Ferdinand last week and will be the centre of attention on Sunday when Patrice Evra and Luis Suarez come face to face again.
Whatever the mitigating circumstances and reasons for their dislike of one another, the circumstance of the forced handshake before the start of a match presents an opportunity for players to be unsporting.
Players are focused on the immediate goal of winning a competitive match. An insincere handshake is a distraction and a nuisance.
This forced pre-match ritual is called the "Fifa handshake". Everyone performs a strangely hypnotic ceremonial dance of circling the match officials, almost like a game of musical chairs, and as they crisscross they shake hands.
Watch carefully and rarely will players look each other in the eyes.