This is just a comment from the guy who writes blogandwhitehoops in response to someonke asking about points deduction: "Was told yesterday that itââ¬â¢s a fine and Gianni will lose his job over it. If Faurlin was ever ineligible it was for one game as he was injured before he signed his new contract. I donââ¬â¢t think we will be deducted points, I believe a deal has already been agreed between FA and QPR. However I can only take what I heard at face value." If this is true then perfect scenario, no points deducted and Gianni pisses off
Taarabt in team of the week: http://www.qpr.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10373~2347721,00.html R's talisman Adel Taarabt has been named in the Football League's Championship Team of the Week. The Moroccan ace enjoyed a fruitful weekend, adding to his double at Cardiff City on Saturday lunchtime with the assist to Wayne Routledge's opening goal against Hull City in W12 on Easter Monday. Article continues Advertisement Produced by the Press Association, the Team of the Week features the eleven top performing players from each division from the weekend matches. To view the Team of the Week, click here
GETTING BLOODY RIDICULOUS NOW! QPR want ex-Chelsea man to replace Warnock Ben Kosky Wednesday, April 27, 2011 4:27 PM QPR will ditch promotion-winning boss Neil Warnock and replace him with a foreign manager in time for their Premier League return. Email Print Got a story? Warnock became only the fourth manager in Rangers history to guide them into the top flight after Monday’s 1-1 draw with Hull all but mathematically clinched promotion from the Championship. Barring a hugely implausible combination of results in the next 10 days – or a possible points deduction from the FA – the Rs will be playing top-flight football again next season. But the club’s owners – notorious for their interference in team affairs and tendency to change managers – have made it clear they want a higher-profile European name in the dugout before the Premier League season kicks off in August. However, despite rumours of an approach for former Italy coach Marcello Lippi, the board are understood to prefer a manager with previous Premier League experience. Ironically, Warnock’s achievements in fashioning a promotion-winning side this season have given them the confidence to recommence plans to market QPR as a ‘global brand’ with less fear of alienating supporters, now buoyant at the end of a successful year. And the board feel the abrasive style of the 62-year-old Yorkshireman may not suit the image they want to present to potential business partners in India and other overseas markets. Former Chelsea striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink is desperate to begin his managerial career in England and has made his interest known, but Rangers are reluctant to hand the job to a complete novice. However, there is a very real possibility that Loftus Road fans will have to swallow the arrival of a manager with Chelsea connections – Gianfranco Zola, sacked by West Ham a year ago, is a strong candidate. His former Blues team-mate Roberto Di Matteo is also available after his surprise departure from West Brom in December – as is one-time Stamford Bridge boss Claudio Ranieri, who recently left Roma. Warnock, who was lured from Crystal Palace 14 months ago and is under contract at Loftus Road until 2013, has publicly denied rumours about his exit. But he is also aware that relegation-threatened West Ham, who expressed an interest earlier in the season, are still keen to acquire his services should they decide to part company with Avram Grant in the summer.
I guess this all harks back to what Briatore said about wantng Lippi. The press are desperate for some sort of story and are grabbing at anything. I would be disgusted at the board if they got rid of Neil - he deserves the job for life for what he has done for the club and us, the supporters. Zola has shown that he can't cut it at West Ham, JFH has no experience. No sane club would be considering such a move, but then "we are QPR".
Warnock wants revenge against Watford and Leeds ----------------------------------------------------- And so do I By Jacob Murtagh Apr 28 2011 2Share Add a comment Recommend Neil Warnock Image 4 NEIL Warnock admits QPR have an added incentive in their final two games against Watford and Leeds as they close in on promotion to the Premier League. Rangers suffered back-to-back defeats against the pair in December – the only time this season they have lost two successive games. The hoops travel to Vicarage Road on Saturday needing just a point to wrap up a return to the top flight, before hosting play-off chasers Leeds seven days later. “I’m glad we’ve got Watford and Leeds for our last two games," said Warnock. “Not that my lot need it, especially now, but we got badly beat by them earlier on – and there’s not many can say that this season. “This is extra motivation to put that right, as well as get over the line.” Read More http://www.fulhamchronicle.co.uk/lo...tford-and-leeds-82029-28598806/#ixzz1KpjHBk63
Is the news that when QPR finally get to the premiership Neil Warnock will be replaced by Mrs Special One, or as he is known by the Brendon Rodgers.
So I guess 606 has finished now. Since about midday today no one can log in. Thought they might have left it until the end of the season. I guess 606 doesn't revolve around just football though.
This is a better site anyway Gloucester, we just need more numbers. The mods on the beeb were a right P.I.T.A! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Football League/Chris Charles Weekly Blog Some people thought it was all over - but when reality dawned only the Canaries were still singing. 'QPRarrrrgh!' screamed the headline in The Sun after Rangers were nine minutes from rising to the promised land on Easter Monday, only for things to go spectacularly wrong. A typical afternoon in the life of a QPR fan, in fact. First of all David Amoo equalised for Hull and with Norwich and Cardiff both winning it looked like the champagne was going on ice. But when news filtered through of an equaliser for Derby at Carrow Road, fans were convinced they were back in the big time after a 15-year hiatus. I was in the toilets when I got the news that QPR's promotion ambitions had gone down the pan - at least for the time being. I'd begun to fear the worst when a section of the home support were singing "Two years to the Bernabeu!" - although I did quite like "Where's your lollipop?" refrain to a random bald chap. Simeon Jackson's dramatic late winner for the Canaries was Norwich's 12th goal in added time this season (although it feels like 112 to most of the teams around them) and led to a TV station hastily removing a graphic declaring QPR had been promoted, as the bunting was rolled back up and the fat lady had her microphone switched off. All it needed was Jim Bowen appearing on the big screen to announce "Here's what you could have won" and the comedy of errors would have been complete. All of which means if Norwich and Cardiff win their last two games and Rangers get right royally spanked in theirs, the west London side are in the Play-Offs. I've always taken the view that a pessimist is never disappointed. On Saturday I shall have plenty of time to dwell on the permutations as I join a group of 30 walkers in a 15-mile stroll to Watford to raise money for the QPR Tiger Cubs team for kids with Down's syndrome (my little girl's future side) - if you'd like to lend a hand, feel free to click here. http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundrais....rl=qprtigercubs Cardiff were held 2-2 by QPR on Easter Saturday in a game which featured stunning strikes from Jay Bothroyd and Adel Taarabt, but the Bluebirds kept their hopes of automatic promotion alive with a 1-0 win at Preston, which condemned North End to the third tier for the first time since the turn of the century. 'Little Lamb' on PNE Online refused to be too downhearted, suggesting they adopt this tune to the tune of Tubthumping for their next game: "We've got Phil Brown and we'll come up again - no-one's ever gonna keep us down!" A gloomy 'Elwiss' retorted: "'We're s*** and we know we are' would be a more truthful representation." Back-to-back wins for Sheffield United, including a brilliant 3-2 victory at Reading, kept their faint hopes of survival alive, although they still needs snookers (to borrow a phrase from Wednesday boss Gary Megson) to pull off an improbable escape. On the Blades Mad messageboard, someone posed the question: "If we stay up, how will you celebrate?" 'Radio-hits_wall' immediately replied: "I'll take Elvis out for a pint." Sc**thorpe fan 'Crozzer is a legend' attempted to cheer the Sheffield United fans up by listing the reasons why playing in League 1 was better than the Championship. After receiving a shedload of abuse, he returned to say: "Sorry, only trying to lighten the mood." 'Lingsbord' replied: "You could have lightened the mood by not putting seven (flipping) goals past us this season!" Sc**thorpe are also on the brink after a battling point at Coventry was followed by a 2-1 defeat against Millwall at Glanford Park. Teenager John Marquis scored both Lions goals, taking his tally to four in four starts. If the 18-year-old fires Millwall into the Play-Offs they might have to upgrade his surname to Baron. Nottingham Forest moved back into the top six following back-to-back wins over Leicester and Bristol City - both by the odd goal in five. Forest's strongest challengers for the final Play-Off berth are Burnley and Leeds, who intriguingly meet at Elland Road on Saturday in a winner-takes-all affair that could make the War of the Roses look like a lover's tiff. Burnley's 'Big Bob's Dad' on the Clarets Mad forum eased the tension by reeling off his favourite chants for the players this season. I quite like: "Andre Bikey, Andre Bikey…" to the refrain of The Smiths' Panic and :"He wears stripy socks, his name's Danny Fox - Danny, Danny Fox, Danny, Danny Fox (Boney M's Daddy Cool) But the winner is this tribute to the evergreen Graham Alexander, to the tune of My Old Man's A Dustman: "Gra-ham Alexander is 94-years-old, "He should be wearing glasses, he should be going bald, "He should be on a pension, but he's not ready yet, "And when he takes a penalty he puts it in the net." Incidentally, I saw Lonnie Donegan at Glastonbury a few years back and he played everything except My Old Man's A Dustman. I'm still getting over it. Into League 1 and champions Brighton appear to have taken their foot off the pedal after drawing with Colchester and going down at the Withdean to two late Southampton goals, losing the only unbeaten home record in the league. Not that Seagulls fans were too disheartened, with their highlight of the game coming as Craig Noone was warming up. 'Tom Hark' on the North Stand Chat messageboard takes up the story…. "Marvellous scenes as Nooney scampered down the touchline singing 'Championes! Championes!' Even funnier when he did it a second time and got a rousing rendition of 'You've only got one song!' for his troubles." Huddersfield are clinging on to Southampton's coat-tails, with successive wins over MK Dons and Dagenham and Redbridge making it 23 games unbeaten. Jordan Rhodes got both goals in the defeat of Dagenham, predictably attracting headlines of 'Jordan's Pair' in the tabloids. Peterborough will have to be content with a place in the Play-Offs after defeat at Leyton Orient was followed by a draw against Yeovil. Craig Mackail-Smith got a late equaliser for Posh, taking his tally to 31 for the season, while his strike was the 99th league goal Peterborough have scored this campaign. Orient are knocking back on the door after making it two wins in a row at Carlisle, while Bournemouth are still firmly in the mix after a 2-1 win over Bristol Rovers, which did nothing to ease the visitors' fears of relegation. Swindon are the first team to drop into the bottom tier after losing at Sheffield Wednesday following a Neil Mellor double which took his season's tally to 20, while 35-year-old Jamie Cureton also reached the same landmark for Exeter against Oldham. The Grecians' Play-Off hopes were ended by a thumping 4-0 loss at Tranmere three days later, which preserved Rovers' place in League 1 and they could yet be joined in safety by Plymouth, who had a very happy Easter, taking maximum points. In League 2, Bury earned promotion after a fine 3-2 win at leaders Chesterfield. It was their sixth straight success under Richie Barker - possibly the most popular caretaker since Hong Kong Phooey. Wycombe leapfrogged Shrewsbury to move back into third thanks to a Scott Rendell double against Crewe, which made it six goals in his last six games. If Rendell's inconsistent side contrive to throw promotion away in the last two games it will be a horror story to rival any of Auntie Ruth's. At the bottom, Izale McLeod fired a hat-trick as Barnet enjoyed a fantastic 4-2 win at Gillingham, ending the Gills's 16-game unbeaten run, while Burton picked up four points from six. But spare a thought for Stockport, whose 107-year stay in The Football League is all but over despite a stunning 35-yarder from Greg Tansey to grab a late point at fellow-strugglers Northampton. I suggested to a Northampton-supporting mate that they could be joining Stockport in the Blue Square Premier . "Cobblers!" came the reply. And finally, the story of the week is of course the Royal Wedding, but those unpatriotic lot on the Notts County Mad messageboard were plotting how they could best avoid it. Suggestions included: "Going for a long bike ride," "Planting runner beans" and "Going to the pub and facing the other way from the telly." But my favourite came from 'Roadsider', who wrote: "I'm in Budapest for the week having my teeth pulled out and replaced - probably a bit extreme!" Just a tad. Have a good weekend one and all. To contact Chris with an interesting story/quote/chant to share, then email him on [email protected] or contact him via Twitter at http://twitter.com/chris__charles. http://www.football-league.co.uk/blog/20....2293319_2349619
Things are heating up hope we sue the bastards. QPR's lawyers have written to the FA requesting they instigate an investigation into the alleged source of the article in today's Sun
http://latestnewsanonymous.blogspot.com/2011/04/does-world-revolve-around-sun.html Does the World Revolve around The Sun? In the build up to the FA hearing it was always likely that sensationalist stories would appear in many of the tabloids. In recent days both the Sun and the Daily Mail have published entirely conflicting information about what the outcome of the hearing will be, showing how little they actually know about the subject. The FA has not commented on the matter, and Queens Park Rangers have released a statement which makes it clear that they will not be commenting on The Suns article either. It is clear that the independent panel will not be influenced by completely unfounded rumours, especially one coming from such a lowly-regarded newspaper. It speaks volumes that no respected national newspaper has come out with such an unreliable and uninformed story. The article claims to have been based on a statement by an FA source, stating, "There's no question QPR have broken the rules. They know it as well. The only debate is what to do about it. If they aren't found guilty you might as well scrap the rules about third-party owners." Queens Park Rangers have openly admitted to the fact that they broke the rules regarding the non-FA registered agent that was used for the transfer, and they WILL be found guilty for this offence, which will result in a small fine. The fact that this supposedly credible FA source has stated that Queens Park Rangers will be “hit hard” for breaching the third-party ownership rules will cause many people to wonder whether Shaun Custis simply overheard a discussion between the Norwich City and Cardiff City supporting toilet attendants in the “corridors of power.” The article would be more suited to a club message board ‘Rumours’ section than the back-page of a national newspaper, but this has probably helped The Sun sell a few more papers, saved Shaun Custis from the task of doing any real journalism, and allowed him to spend the day backtracking on twitter. Just THREE hours after declaring a remarkable 15 point deduction Mr. Custis announced to the world, “Don't know if they will be docked points but possible.” Remarkable. The fact that many people are choosing to ignore about this case is that Alejandro Faurlin has never been an ineligible player for Queens Park Rangers, so any sort of points deduction would be unwarranted. Once the Football League Rules were changed to forbid any sort of third-party involvement he was given a new contract in accordance with advice received from the FA, after the club drew their attention to it. A simple clerical error in the forms was highlighted and the high-class Withers law firm will prove that no deliberate (and more importantly, no performance enhancing) wrongdoing occurred. A fine it will be, and Queens Park Rangers fans will be able to celebrate a long-awaited return to the Premier League tomorrow if their team is able to gain a point against Watford. Posted by AnonymousInformant at 16:07 Email This BlogThis! Share to Twitter Share to Facebook Share to Google Buzz
Independent Neil Warnock: Like Jose, I thought referees conspired against me, now I see they are only human What I Learnt This Week Saturday, 30 April 2011 I think anybody watching the match between Real Madrid and Barcelona in midweek must have appreciated how good the conduct of players in the Premier League is. What with all the diving, card-waving and harassing of the officials, I'm not sure any referee could have controlled that match. To say I was disappointed when Pepe was sent off is an understatement. I think his challenge would have been, in normal circumstances and a normal game, a yellow card at most. But the Barcelona players had made it an objective to surround the ref on every occasion and you could almost smell the fear of the linesman he went to speak to. For me, that took away the fantastic finishes of Messi. The second goal in particular reminded me of those clips of George Best dribbling past everyone trying to trip him or chop him to stop him scoring. I didn't see Mourinho's press conference but from what I read I wouldn't be surprised if he gets the book thrown at him. Managers often talk about decisions going in favour of the big teams, but to say all the sendings-off are because the referee has been got at is a nonsense, you have to accept they are human beings and they do get influenced by the atmosphere. When I was in the Premier League at Sheffield United, I thought there was a vendetta against me and the club with certain referees, but having watched those refs over the years since I realise that was rubbish. Without a doubt the big teams seem to get decisions going their way against the smaller sides, but I accept that's partly because the bigger teams have 70 per cent of the game in those matches so inevitably they will have more penalty appeals and suchlike. Referees are only human, they'll make mistakes, and since most of the decisions are ruling on fouls against big teams there's more chances of a mistake being in those teams' favour. One thing that caught my eye on the night was the performance of Emmanuel Adebayor. Obviously his long hair used to stop him running around, because now he's had it cut he's everywhere. I feel it was embarrassing the way he played in his last two years at Arsenal, it showed a lack of respect for what Ars̬ne Wenger had done for him. Then having showed contempt to his old club with his goal celebration at Manchester City he didn't really perform for them. Now he's suddenly putting effort in. I don't suppose it is in any way related to the fact he is playing for a contract, or am I just being cynical? 2. Young officials still have a bit to learn about this game While on the subject of referees I was disappointed last weekend in a couple of our younger lads, Mike Jones and Michael Oliver. Mike Jones was at the Reebok when Tamir Cohen scored Bolton's late winner and celebrated by taking his shirt off to reveal a picture of his recently deceased father Avi on it. I don't think anyone would have marked Mike down for ignoring the rule, on this one occasion, about giving players a yellow card for taking their shirt off. A little bit of understanding would have made Mike Jones into a far better ref than booking him. I know some people, like Mike Riley, who's the head of referees, would have done it by the book, but I think most people will feel that was unnecessary. The same with Michael Oliver sending Mark Hughes to the stand at Molineux on witnessing Рor being told by the fourth official Рthat Mark tried to kick a water bottle three times. If he'd just gone over to Mark and said, "look, you're obviously frustrated but I don't want to have to ask you to go to the stands, so please refrain", he'd have gained far more respect. The best referees, the ones who get to the top, are the ones who realise that the laws are not black and white. 3. Promotion is in sight even without my contact lenses I'm aware there have been a few claims made about the possible outcome of the hearing next week into charges that there were irregularities in Ale Faurlin's contract, but I've been advised not to talk about the issue until the verdict is delivered. It is all in the hands of the club's lawyers and I've full confidence in them. Me and the players are concentrating on things we can affect, which is on the pitch. It was disappointing on Monday not to get the win we needed to make sure of promotion but we are still in a wonderful position, two games left, and a point to get. We're not taking anything for granted because we are playing the two teams that have given us our biggest drubbings this year. How we got away with losing 3-1 at home to Watford I don't know and Leeds were well worthy of their 2-0 victory up there, so we are well aware how difficult it will be. It was a strange situation on Monday with the fans celebrating on the pitch, then hearing that Norwich had scored a late winner so we weren't up after all. There was no such drama for the players and staff though. We knew Norwich and Cardiff were winning at half-time and just assumed they had picked up all three points. I was so busy having a few choice words with my defence at the goal we conceded I never gave the scores a moment's thought. It was only later I heard what happened. There was a funny incident before the game. Twenty minutes from kick-off, with the lads about to come in from their warm-up, I was in the dressing room getting my thoughts ready when my phone went. I thought it must be someone important to ring me at this time. I answered and a guy said: "Mr Warnock? It's Specsavers here. Your contact lenses have arrived, will you be picking them up?" 4. Don't discount Chelsea for the league title just yet Like Red Rum coming up on the rails, Chelsea may yet be timing their run-in nicely. I don't suppose anyone really gives them a chance but they are back to their best. Why? It is not rocket science. With Florent Malouda, Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou playing as a front three there is more space for the midfield, the whole team suddenly looks more comfortable and better balanced. I guess they probably have too much to do, but would you bet against them beating Manchester United at Old Trafford? And United could lose at Arsenal this weekend Рincredibly for a team that looks as if they will win the league they have won only five times away from home. It's not all over yet. If Chelsea did come through to win, can you imagine how frustrated Wenger will be at all the points his team have dropped Рseven in the last three games alone? They had a great chance this season. 5. Good to see the Spireites in the ascendancy It's great to see my first club, Chesterfield, gain promotion. The new stadium has given everyone a lift at the club. Congratulations also to striker Jack Lester, he's a Sheffield lad like me and I signed him for the Blades eight years ago. He's one of the nicest lads I've ever worked with and it's good to see a player at 35 still enjoying his football so much. 6. I loved the royal wedding but where was my invite? We usually train in the mornings, but yesterday we trained in the afternoon. I told the lads it was so I could watch the royal wedding. It's actually because we are travelling afterwards but they believed me because they know I've always been a royalist. I think the wedding was great. We certainly do ceremonial events with a bit of style, there were no half measures. I'm just disappointed my invite was lost in the post. I'm sure the Queen would have invited me, we got on so well the last time we met. I watched it at home with the family. We all enjoyed it, even Will though he fidgeted a bit. The place to have been though was our village in Cornwall. I was down there after Monday's game and they were all gearing up for a royal wedding street party. They were closing down the main road and flags were everywhere. 7. Marrakesh tragedy had extra poignancy for me A shudder went down my spine when I watched the news on Thursday. Only a few weeks ago Sharon and I sat in the very cafe in Marrakesh that was bombed killing 15 people. It really makes you appreciate how fragile life can be, you just have to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. My deepest sympathies go to everyone who has been affected. http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/footb....an-2276768.html
QPR back in the big time Post categories: Football Paul Fletcher | 22:23 UK time, Saturday, 30 April 2011 At Vicarage Road The bold white print on the specially designed blue T-shirts said it all - "Rangers, back in the big time." And it was for the time being at least, true. At Vicarage Road on Saturday afternoon, QPR defeated Watford to end a 15-year exodus from the top flight of English football. A tight and edgy contest was settled by late goals from Adel Taarabt and Tommy Smith, and ensured that Neil Warnock's team will be promoted as champions. The coaching staff embraced in the dug-out, the players hugged on the lush turf and more than a few supporters appeared unable to heed the increasingly desperate appeals for them to stay off the pitch. Since Ray Wilkins' Rangers slipped sadly out of the top flight in 1996, the west London club has appeared to lurch from one crisis to another, often becoming a laughing stock along the way but also beset by tragedy. There has been administration, guns in the boardroom, a spell in the third tier of English football, a steady flow of managers (with the exception of Ian Holloway's five-year spell from 2001-2006) and several owners. In May 2006 youth player Kiyan Prince was murdered and the following year promising teenager Ray Jones was killed in a car crash. But in the spring sunshine on Saturday, Rangers returned to the division where they feel they belong and boss Warnock was quick to place the scale of the achievement into perspective. "There are Rangers supporters who will have never seen their team in the Premier League," said Warnock, who was celebrating his seventh promotion with six different clubs. "Coming to Loftus Road next season will not be easy, but isn't it absolutely exciting that the likes of Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United will be playing there." Rangers' promotion is a personal triumph for the 62-year-old, who took charge of a club languishing 20th in the Championship table and reeling from six defeats in seven fixtures and has transformed them into champions in the space of 13 months. "This is without a shadow of doubt the best job that I have done," he added. He became the seventh permanent manager since the 2007 takeover of the club by Flavio Briatore and Bernie Ecclestone. It could be argued that Warnock's task was simplified when Briatore appeared to take a less hands-on role after his arrival, but nonetheless the manager quickly constructed a side that has proved to be superbly equipped to win promotion from a tough and demanding division. His 4-2-3-1 system has provided Rangers with a defensive solidity that has seen them keep 25 clean sheets and concede a mere 30 goals in 45 games. "Those statistics tell their own story of a manager who prides himself on his team's defensive unit," said holding midfielder Shaun Derry. Warnock's decision to sign goalkeeper Paddy Kenny, left-back Clint Hill and Derry has been a brilliant success. All of them had played for Warnock at previous clubs and he obviously knew that they would provide some of the backbone and consistency that had perhaps been missing in previous Rangers teams. What's more, although Warnock cuts a feisty and combative character on the touchline, he has shown a delicate touch with regard to his man-management of Taarabt. He made the Moroccan his captain and gave him a free role to terrorise the opposition - and the Rangers boss has been rewarded with 19 league goals plus numerous assists. At first glance it might be an unlikely alliance, but Taarabt now talks about Warnock as some kind of father figure and the brusque Yorkshireman is the first manager to draw out of the Moroccan performances of a consistently high standard over the length of an entire season. Whether Taarabt, who has played in every league game this season apart from away trips to Doncaster and Scunthorpe, will succeed in the Premier League will be an issue of much discussion over the summer. There is no doubt that he has the ability, but the top flight will provide a much sterner examination of his temperament and attitude. There were moments at Vicarage Road when a team-mate's failure to pick him out with a pass prompted a disproportionate gesture and a brief but nonetheless needless huff. Warnock instructed his players never to give Taarabt the ball in their own half this season but otherwise allowed his skipper the freedom to indulge his talents. He scored the crucial opening goal at Watford but he drifted out of the game for long periods. The Rangers fans chanted "Taarabt's too good for you" but that will not be the case in many games next season and we will find out exactly whether he has all the tools to succeed at the top level. In fact, there is little doubt that the QPR squad will need overhauling if they are to survive next season. Warnock very quickly knitted together a team to win in the second tier but he has enjoyed a good run on the injury front this season and just about every area needs strengthening ahead of a top-flight campaign. Kenny is an excellent goalkeeper but the defence in front of him arguably lacks pace and top-flight experience. At the other end of the field the club needs a proven goalscorer at Premier League level. "Ultimately the manager will have to improve the squad," added Derry. "You cannot go into the Premier League with a Championship squad. What is important is that we manage to keep the same spirit." Rangers have lost just five games this season in the Championship, boast the best home and away record in the division and have led the table for all but a handful of fixtures. They have played with skill, guts and spirit. I spoke to several players after the victory at Watford and all talked about the togetherness Warnock and his backroom team had instilled at the club. In my opinion, there is no doubt that they deserve their promotion. However, nothing at Rangers is straightforward and the shadow that hung over Saturday's celebrations was the impending Football Association hearing over alleged irregularities following the signing of Argentine Faurlin. He arrived at Loftus Road in the summer of 2009 and the FA has been investigating the case since September, when QPR asked for permission to buy out a third party that owned his economic rights. Rangers and its chairman Gianni Paladini face seven charges and the most serious relate to an allegation that Faurlin was owned by an Argentine company for more than a year after joining Rangers in July 2009. The results of the hearing are expected to be announced on Friday 6 May, the day before Rangers end the regular season with a home fixture against Leeds. There have been recent reports that Rangers face a points deduction. Warnock sounded irritated and frustrated as he discussed the subject after Saturday's match, hitting out at what he described as a "disgraceful" article in the Sun newspaper, which suggested QPR could be docked up to 15 points. "We are all guessing at the moment," said the Rangers boss. "We will all have to wait until Friday but I am happy with what my barrister has told me." As Faurlin made his way along the side of the pitch to the team coach after the match I asked him about the situation. The midfielder, a crucial part of his team's success this season, did not seem unduly concerned. "We are confident that nothing will happen but we will have to wait and see," he said. "I had nothing to do about it; I just do my show on the pitch." After waiting so long and enduring so much, Rangers fans must be hoping that the outcome of the FA hearing does not prevent Faurlin and his team-mates from doing their show on the pitches of the Premier League next season. You can follow me throughout the season at twitter.com/Paul__Fletcher
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/may/01/neil-warnock-qpr-premier-league Even one of their entourage could be heard, through the dressing-room window, saying: “Enjoy this feeling boys because we’ll probably get caned next season.” Little with Queens Park Rangers is straightforward. Their players danced in the Hertfordshire sunshine yet the threat of a points deduction still looms large. Even one of their entourage could be heard, through the dressing-room window, saying: “Enjoy this feeling boys because we’ll probably get caned next season.” There is no doubting that Rangers have been the best team in the Championship this season. But was the presence of key player Alejandro Faurlin illegal? Will the Football Association find Rangers guilty of third-party ownership? Will they fine them or, worse, deduct points? And if they do enjoy the promotion most accept they deserve, where to now? They have very wealthy backers and want to be part of the Premier League party for a long time. So many imponderables but, for chairman Gianni Paladini, there is only hard work and excitement to look forward to. Paladini, a one-time player and agent, is as colourful as his manager, Neil Warnock. “This is the most unbelievable time of my life,” the Italian said outside the condemned main stand at Vicarage Road. “We have worked so hard to get this far and get investors like Flavio [Briatore], Bernie [Ecclestone], [Lakshmi] Mittal and [Amit] Bhati.” The FA issued a statement on Saturday morning distancing themselves from quotes attributed to an FA ‘source’, hinting at a 15-point deduction. Paladini, though, remains defiant, insisting Rangers will contest any serious punishment. “We will fight all the way,” he said. “Justice will be done. We have not tried to cheat anybody. We have done everything in good faith. But there will be no need for us to fight because we have done everything right.” They have certainly done things right on the pitch, with the season’s outstanding performer, Adel Taarabt, and Tommy Smith scoring the goals which, at the third attempt, delivered Rangers to the Premier League. “It’s been a great story,” Paladini said. “It’s great for the fans who have had to put up with ---- for so many years.” Paladini was involved in a court case in 2006 after which all defendants were found not guilty of conspiring to blackmail and falsely imprison him at gunpoint. The memories remain and Paladini said: “I went through so much to save the club. What a story. I went through so much when nobody would touch the club. I’ve been to hell and back, there were so many tough times. But this makes it all worthwhile.” And he promised that Rangers would remain in the top flight, saying: “I can’t wait for next season. We will stay up. Now that we have got into the Premier League, we are not going there for half an hour.” Warnock, though, accepts that nothing at QPR is certain. Bathing in the glory of his latest success rather than worry about tomorrow’s start of the inquiry, Warnock admitted his time in management is ticking down. Five years ago he hinted at retirement and, at the age of 62, he is under orders from his wife to finish – but not just yet. “Yes, she’s given me the ultimatum,” he added. “I won’t tell you how long I’ve got left. Listen, I can’t see me staying the length she’s told me I’ve got left, at QPR. Can you? Because we’re bound to lose three or four next year on the trot.” Much could depend on how Taarabt takes to the Premier League. A complex character, the former Spurs playmaker dazzles with his tricky feet but at times his attempts to be the second Cristiano Ronaldo see him fall flat on his backside. “I’ve said to Adel he’s got to change,” warned Warnock. “He’s at a crucial period in his career. He’s got to be more dedicated, he’s got to listen to me and take it on board. "He’s got everything in his locker but if he went somewhere now and it was the wrong place we’d probably get him back at Christmas on loan.”
QPR in the dock as season-decider looms Post categories: Football Matt Slater | 10:02 UK time, Tuesday, 3 May 2011 I have only ever owned one new car. Rattle-free motoring, flawless paintwork and it smelt, ah, the smell...it was factory fresh. But then I had to give it back. You see I didn't really own it at all. The company that made it owned it and, once it was established I didn't have the money to properly buy it, they wanted it back to sell to somebody else. It's an arrangement Instituto de Cordoba will recognise. Like me, the Argentine club hired something (in their case a midfielder called Alejandro Faurlin) for two years. They had an option to buy but that was always unlikely. So Faurlin went back to his real owners and they repeated the transaction with the next wide-eyed punter eager to try a luxury item they couldn't quite afford. So far, so what? Most South American clubs are skint. They might have decent players but they don't own them. Hiring in talent is the norm and there is nothing unusual about a midfielder being owned by a "third party", be they a group of agents, a bank or even a supermarket. But what if the next punter in the chain was not South American but from South Africa Road? Could an English club "buy" a player but still allow a third party to "own" him? Aren't there rules against that kind of thing? QPR were promoted at the weekend but face an anxious week as the FA rule on the Alejandro Faurlin (left) case The answers to those questions - and a few more - should be revealed on Friday as this week witnesses the culmination of a thrilling Championship campaign. Sadly, the action will take place behind the closed doors of an office somewhere in London and the stars will be m'learned friends from the Football Association and Queens Park Rangers, the wide-eyed punter in question. What will happen over three days of evidence-giving, cross-examining and justice-weighing is almost anybody's guess and anybody who tells you otherwise doesn't really understand what is going on. Cards on table time. In recent weeks, I too have had a conversation with an FA source that has gone in broadly the same direction as the one reported by The Sun last Friday. In case you missed it, this is the conversation that implied QPR were guilty of breaching FA rules and risked losing 15 points from their table-topping total. This would deprive Rangers of silverware and any return to the Premier League would have to be via the treacherous paths of the play-offs. The article provoked fury from the club, with manager Neil Warnock in vintage "us against them" form, and a rapid retraction from Wembley. This was hardly surprising given what is at stake, a place at the Premier League's roulette wheel, where even the most incompetent gambler has guaranteed TV revenues of ã90m to play with. Rich guys - and QPR's owners Lakshmi Mittal, Bernie Ecclestone and Flavio Briatore are very rich, Mittal in particular - routinely play for high stakes and they do not get rich by losing. The FA needs a legal row with these people like it needs another hole in the ground, hence my hesitation to publish any prediction for the big FA v QPR clash. But there was another reason for my caution: this is uncharted territory. There is a temptation to draw close comparisons with the Carlos Tevez saga of 2007 when a Tevez-inspired West Ham narrowly avoided relegation from the Premier League, sending Sheffield United down instead. The temptation should be avoided because Tevez provides parallels not precedents. Four years ago, the striker's "economic rights" belonged to Media Sports Investment, a company controlled by football agent Kia Joorabchian. This arrangement might have made sense back home for Tevez (and fellow hire-purchase Hammer Javier Mascherano) but it did not sit well with the Premier League or Sheffield United. Especially, United. Now is not the time to recount the details of everything that happened but it is important to get an important fact straight. Third-party ownership was not explicitly banned at the time of the duo's arrival, or even when Tevez embarked on his one-man rescue act at the end of the season. What West Ham were adjudged to have done wrong was enter into a contract with a another party that could "materially influence" them. With no third-party ban in the handbook, rule U18 was the best the Premier League could come up with - that and a second charge of failing to act in "good faith" when the Hammers did not disclose the true nature of their sensational transfer scoop. Having decided to plead guilty, the club paid a high price for these mistakes (a ã5.5m fine and compensation payments to Sheffield United that are still costing ã4m a year) but kept their points. That decision was reached for two main reasons: one, the season was coming to a climax, making any points deduction almost fatal; and two, league bosses were terrified of provoking legal action that could drag on for years, causing chaos throughout football. As it happened, they nearly got the latter, which concentrated minds to get U18 overwritten with L34 and L35, specific Premier League rules banning third-party ownership. Subsequent potential "Tevezs", such as Manchester City's purchase of Jo, have been avoided and it seemed English football had found a framework to cope with the influx of third party-owned South American talent. Until two months ago, that is, when QPR were hit with seven breaches of FA rules, four relating to the corresponding bits of the governing body's rulebook on third-party ownership, two for false documentation and a final charge for using an unauthorised agent to broker the deal that brought Faurlin to west London in July 2009. It is the precise details of that deal, and what QPR said at the time, that will be dissected by the four-man disciplinary panel this week. It will not be easy. Faurlin's journey from promising playmaker in Cordoba to the conductor of Warnock's wonderful Rangers ensemble has been shrouded in mystery ever since Instituto admitted they did not have the $1m (ã601,000) his owners, three Argentine agents, wanted for a permanent deal. Two months later he was being announced as QPR's record signing in a deal "worth" ã3.5m. A huge sum for a player from Argentina's second tier, especially when the "selling" club got nothing. Faurlin's price tag would probably have gone unquestioned if the Football League was not forced to replicate the entire Premier League rulebook last summer in return for more of the top flight's TV cash. This belatedly brought the rules of the two leagues and the FA into line. It was at this point QPR asked the Football League for permission to buy out Faurlin's Argentine owners and make an honest man of him, so to speak. The Football League said "OK, but you'll have to run it by the FA", and the FA said "hold on, this isn't what you told us when we waived through the first deal". Or maybe not and this is just an massive misunderstanding/minor paperwork error. What we can say is that the FA eventually allowed QPR to "re-sign" the by-now crowd favourite and put him on a four-year contract. But it also started an investigation into the original transfer that has culminated in these charges. We must also state clearly that QPR deny all "intentional wrongdoing" and have not followed West Ham's lead by pleading guilty to anything. They intend to fight. So the stage is set for the Championship decider. On the one side you have a determination to show the rules have teeth, guard against countersuits from promotion-chasing rivals and rectify the nagging feeling that maybe, just maybe, West Ham got away with it. And on the other, you have a real fear of legal repercussions from QPR's billionaire owners, sympathy for players who have achieved something truly special and a nagging feeling that these sanctions hurt the fans most of all. So I'm not making any predictions about this week's result. I will merely note that QPR's healthy points tally makes a compromise between those two positions entirely possible. Now there's a stroke of luck.
Former FA chief Mark Palios today suggested the club will face a points deduction, with Cardiff City and Swansea waiting in the wings to take advantage. The Bluebirds are currently nine points beind the league leaders, with Swansea a further two adrift. High profile Mill has previously represented David Beckham, Chelsea, the International Rugby Board, Mike Tyson, the BBC, the International Cricket Council and the FA themselves. He is described on his firm Blackstone Chambers' website as: "the guy you go to if you really want to tough it out - he's a real fighter and a fantastic cross-examiner". In 2009, Mill won ã26.5million in damages from West Ham for Sheffield United in an out-of-court settlement after the Yorkshire club successfully argued that the illegal transfer of Tevez played a material role in their relegation from the Premier League in the 2006-07 season. But he will now claim the charges levelled at the Hoops do not warrant a points deduction, with the club denying any wrongdoing. The club also believe that last Friday's newspaper report in the Sun, which suggested they could be docked 15 points, has prejudiced the case against them. Read More http://www.walesonline.co.uk/footba...-hearing-begins-91466-28627779/#ixzz1LIoEx9mj
QPR could start next season in the Barclays Premier League with a points deduction if they are found guilty of the FA charges facing them over the Alejandro Faurlin case, according to a sports lawyer. A hearing into seven breaches of FA rules relating to the signing of the Argentinian midfielder in 2009 began at Wembley on Tuesday with a decision expected on Friday. Reports last week claimed the FA could impose an immediate 15-point penalty which would see Rangers denied automatic promotion and dumped into the play-offs. The club, who deny the charges, would likely appeal such a decision meaning the play-offs may have to be delayed but sports lawyer Andrew Nixon says Rangers could still be promoted but begin next season on minus points, saying: "If the club are found guilty any punishment of a fine or a points deduction depends on the level of guilt." "It depends whether there has been an intent to breach the rules, or a flagrant disregard of the rules. Today and tomorrow hold the key in terms of the cross examination of the club officials involved who will be taking to the stand. "One option will be to deduct points next season, and that could be the easiest option, certainly with regard to managing the play-offs. Therefore it could be that they start next season with a negative three-point balance." Nixon also expects other clubs involved in the promotion race to consider legal action should Rangers escape a points deduction. "Should QPR not be deducted points then other clubs will obviously wish to consider their position," he added. Rangers play their final match of the season against Leeds on Saturday, when under normal circumstances they would be presented with the npower Championship trophy.
Same division but different rules for Cardiff City ââ¬Â¢ Cardiff cannot face same charges as QPR ââ¬Â¢ Welsh club answerable only to League and FA of Wales Share Reddit Buzz up Matt Scott The Guardian, Thursday 5 May 2011 Article history Cardiff City Stadium Events at the Cardiff City Stadium are governed by the FA of Wales, rather than the English FA. Photograph: Barry Batchelor/PA Wire/Press Association Images Cardiff City will have no case to answer from the Football Association even if it is proved by the Football League that they have permitted third parties to exercise control over their players. At a time when Queens Park Rangers face a possible points deduction over the Alejandro FaurlÃÂn affair, differing regulations apply to the third-placed Welsh club in the same division. Seven days before FA charges arose against QPR in March, Digger revealed that Cardiff hold arrangements that may point to similar third-party influence over team affairs. Cardiff's director and lawyer, Alan Whiteley, denies that the agreements the club hold with the Cayman Islands-registered Player Finance Fund (PFF) constitute third-party influence. The matter is the subject of an ongoing investigation by the Football League. The arrangements pre-date the League's adoption of third-party rules at the beginning of this season. So its inquiry relates instead to whether Ray Ranson, the former chairman of Coventry, exercised any influence over Cardiff's affairs through Sport Asset Capital, his investment company, or the apparently connected PFF, as indicated in Cardiff's accounts. This would be illegal under dual-influence rules. It is believed Ranson, who along with his friend and vice-chairman, Gary Hoffman, quit Coventry in March, denies that either he or any company connected with him has made loans to Cardiff. Complicated? There is one simple fact, however: even if it were proved that Cardiff players were under the control of the chairman of a rival Championship club ââ¬â which under FA rules might ordinarily lead to a severepoints deduction ââ¬â there could be no repercussions as there are against QPR. That is because Cardiff are answerable only to the League and to the FA of Wales. An FAW spokesman said on Wednesday: "We have nothing in our statutes to cover third-party ownership of players." Surely it is time for Welsh clubs for them to yield to English rules.
