West London Sport """ please log in to view this image please log in to view this image 26/02/2015 By David McIntyre Les Ferdinand wants key QPR figures such as Tony Fernandes and Joey Barton to stop courting controversy on Twitter – but the chairman has refused to change his ways. Former Rangers star Ferdinand has sought to change the culture of the club since returning in October. The director of football is particularly unhappy with the constant furore surrounding the likes of Fernandes and midfielder Barton, believing their social media activity can have a negative impact. please log in to view this image “I disagree with Les on that. We’re not going to agree on everything.” Tony Fernandes Ferdinand hopes to amend QPR’s disciplinary code this summer, making players aware they risk being sanctioned for bringing the club into disrepute if they step out of line with their comments. But Fernandes isn’t playing ball – and the AirAsia boss cites his use of social media in the aftermath of one of the airline’s planes crashing in December as an example of the benefits of him being on Twitter. “I think he [Ferdinand] would love me not to be on Twitter. But I’m not going to change that,” Fernandes said. “There are mistakes I’ve made on it and some things rile me – when I see some of the negativity it winds you up and you say the wrong thing and regret saying it. “But look, if I didn’t have Twitter I wouldn’t have reacted the way I did with AirAsia. It helped me tremendously to mediate with families and my staff. “So I disagree with Les on that. We’re not going to agree on everything. “I’m a freedom of speech man. I haven’t told Joey Barton to keep quiet – it’s what their [some players’] make-up is. “But I do think you have to draw lines on some things. There are limits.” And Fernandes insists he has no regrets about an infamous recent tweet claiming to have found his ‘dream manager’. His comment followed an approach to Paul Clement, the Real Madrid assistant boss who is the choice of many Rangers fans to become manager at Loftus Road and could take over in the summer. Fernandes said: “I’d rather have an open and transparent culture than a closed culture. “I’d rather say to the fans that I’ve found a dream manager. They’re like shareholders in the club and they deserve to know.” """" I think Tony is right on this, as he says it is basic freedom of speech.
I think the use of twitter within the club should be banned. TF and JB are probably the biggest culprits for using twitter to make stupid statements.
Stupid or not, isn't it up to them to say what they want within legal boundaries. I don't see how the Club can stop it anyway, as long as it is not illegal there are plenty of social networks available to say what you want other than Twitter..
OK, let me re-phrase that. All forms of social media should be banned to make statements. Players and Management should speak in front of cameras/direct to journalists to make whatever statements they choose to make. This is how well run clubs operate. Unfortunately, we are not perceived as being a well run club partly because of the stupid statements made on social media.
If you are talking about official Club statements, then I think these all need to be authorized by the Club's Media Manager, on whatever platforms the Club elects to use - I thought Twitter was one of them together with the Official Net Site. I was talking about the person making comment not on behalf of the Club, but purely as an individual, whether it's TF on his dreams, JB on his latest philosophical find, or the Groundsman's view on synthetic pitches, whatever. For me, he/she can say what they want if they aren't breaking any laws .Obviously, in his position TF, (and also JB) need to be careful when he talks about his dream manager or anything connected with the Club in his own right, but it is their right to say what they want IMO.
What about one of our players (Rio) getting banned directly for something he said on twitter? Is that ok? PS. I'm not talking about official club statements. I'm talking about individuals within the club embarrassing everybody including themselves.
No, it's not OK at all. But it's the FA that is not Ok - what Rio says on his own behalf and not as a representative of QPR, has nothing to do with the FA . If I remember that one right what he said wasn't even connected to football.
I wouldn't curb the use of twitter, and I think the fact that TF wears his heart on his sleeve and shares his enthusiasm for the club and the game with fans is acceptable, and certainly a preference to the autocracy of Briatore or the indifference of Ecclestone. As for our players, Barton, Rio or whoever, they need to use twitter responsibly and not create unnecessary distractions from their highly paid roles or bring the club into disrepute
There's nothing wrong with Twitter, it's the arseholes that post shyte on it that is the problem and the inevitable volley of abuse and ridicule that brings. Sadly, that extends to people like TF who think they are doing fans a favour by posting info which leads to a similar negative outcome...
What if he says he likes little girls or would like to chop someone's head off or that all white men have tiny dicks? Its nothing to do with the FA despite him bringing the game into disrepute? Ozzie, give it a rest. As for Tony. The great sage that is Johnny Giles once said, the best Chairmen are the ones you never hear about.
I read that article to mean If I can piss off the Fans quick enough I can duck out the door before I have cough up for my FFP mistakes. You giant cock Tony, its not just Les who wants you to shut your overactive mug, it's every single QPR supporter. Troubling times every time his jaw or fingers moves.
Alright then Ozzie, what if he said he thinks all women are stupid and should stay at home at the sink? Should the FA or QPR discipline him?
It is their concern though mate. He's employed by QPR and can't bring the Club or the game into disrepute.
I don't think so. An employer can't expect or demand their employees to share their views and be politically correct. The Club will want to encourage players to present a good image, but banning them from expressing their opinions isn't the way to go IMO.
I haven't seen it. But then all the reviews and opinions of it are that it's sh*te, so it's not been on my watch list.
Yep, you've either got it or you haven't. To be fair to you "SuperGod" there is minority that still think Tony's doing a good job. I'll lump you in with them then.
