Bernie Ecclestone and Flavio Briatore have today (Friday 27th May 2011) clarified the following points in the wake of recent press reports regarding Queens Park Rangers Football Club. Bernie Ecclestone and the Flavio Briatore Trust (FB Trust) saved QPR from administration when they acquired the Club in 2007. When the Mittals joined them, FB Trust and Ecclestone maintained an 80% interest in the Club and provided 80% of the funding needed to run QPR. In 2009 when Briatore took a backseat at QPR, FB Trust passed a 13% shareholding in QPR to the Mittals free of charge. This took Ecclestone and the FB Trust's combined shareholding to 67% and they have continued to fund 67% of the Club's financial need, with the Mittals contributing 33%. When Ecclestone and Briatore took over at QPR, they were clear about their vision to take the Club into the Premier League within four years and this plan has now been achieved, with QPR set to grace the top-flight of English football in the 2011/12 season. Both Ecclestone and Briatore believe that Amit Bhatia's recent comments and the subsequent press coverage have been damaging to QPR and do not fairly reflect the reality of the situation. They have not received a written offer from the Mittals for their QPR shares and feel strongly that the verbal offer made to them was insultingly low. Bhatia appears to be using the press to try to force the price of any deal down, which is disrespectful to both the Club and its fans. Despite the assertions from both Bhatia and Lakshmi Mittal that they were prepared to invest heavily in QPR to allow Neil Warnock to spend money on new players ahead of the new season, a recent request for shareholder funding was rejected by Bhatia, whereas Ecclestone and FB Trust have met and will continue to meet their funding commitments to the Club. Ishan Saksena has parted company with QPR as a result of managerial changes that the Board felt were appropriate after the way in which the FA Hearing was handled. This was a decision made by the Board for the best interests of QPR. QPR's Season Ticket prices for the 2011/12 season are in line with other London-based Premier League Clubs and are reflective of the Club's newly achieved Premier League status. With over 90% of QPR Season Tickets being sold in Gold and Silver areas, the year-on-year increase in the standard price of a Season Ticket for the majority of fans is between 22%-27%, or 16%-21% when taking account of inflation and the increase in VAT. Ecclestone and Briatore believe that although price increases have been necessary, they are not unduly high and initial sales have so far been encouraging, with four times as many tickets being sold in the first 48 hours when compared with last season. In fact, QPR's website has spoken to a number of fans who have already renewed their tickets. "My ticket has gone up in price, but - personally - I think it represents good value for money." "The owners have put their money in and as a supporter of the Club, I've done the same, because it's my team." "The buzz of coming along to Loftus Road on a matchday is special. The whole experience is great." As both Ecclestone and Briatore have stated in recent days, Neil Warnock's post as Manager remains secure and Neil has the full support of the Board. Discussions have already taken place between Neil and the Board, in which Neil outlined his thoughts on player acquisitions ahead of the new Premier League season and was assured that he will be able to keep his best players for QPR's return to the Premier League. Reply With Quote
What a lot of old bollocks. It didn't take them long to wheel out the old "saviours" line again did it!?
lets be honest, when Eccy and Flav bought the club, we were up **** screek without a paddle and a whole in the bottom on the boat. So we were all grateful they saved the club. they wanted premir league football within 4 years - they have got it, so will they sell in 12 months time. I have added a couple of questions tha I would love to see the board to answer When Ecclestone and Briatore took over at QPR, they were clear about their vision to take the Club into the Premier League within four years and this plan has now been achieved, with QPR set to grace the top-flight of English football in the 2011/12 season. Both Ecclestone and Briatore believe that Amit Bhatia's recent comments and the subsequent press coverage have been damaging to QPR and do not fairly reflect the reality of the situation. They have not received a written offer from the Mittals for their QPR shares and feel strongly that the verbal offer made to them was insultingly low. Bhatia appears to be using the press to try to force the price of any deal down, which is disrespectful to both the Club and its fans. So what would happen IF they did recieve a writen offer? Ishan Saksena has parted company with QPR as a result of managerial changes that the Board felt were appropriate after the way in which the FA Hearing was handled. This was a decision made by the Board for the best interests of QPR. Why Is Paladini still there after the FA Hearing?
I take it your quite happy with the e-mail from the club then Ninj. Are you a season ticket holder by any chance and if so are you planning on renewing?
It's a good point Ninj, the fact that they say that they haven't had a written offer yet does automatically beg the question about what might happen if they did have one. Maybe there's a chink of light there, and the Mittals might be encouraged to make a formal offer. My worry though is that the tone of the email (i.e. using words like "insulting") is very harsh indeed, and it might make it untenable for the Mittals to carry on holding onto their existing 33%
Warnock was assured that he will be able to keep his best players for QPR's return to the Premier League That's good of them.
I agree with that. One or other groups will need to sell up you feel. The 'insultingly low' offer can clearly be bettered by the Mittals if they really believe in the club.
Houslow- dnt forget Football First each Saturday night, bout 60 mins of every PL match available so even if we're not on live you can still get decent coverage of the R's
Andrew - not happy with email and not happy that Flav and Eccy are still there, however there are always two sides to a story. I have never been a season ticket holder due to the fact I work the majority of Saturdays, however befoe my company took off, I went to many a home and away game. I have probably been to roughly 60 away grounds since I started to follow QPR back in 73 /74. In my teeenage years and early 20's when i didn't work Saturdays I would always be at Loftus Rd. I think that the price increase is obscene, especially in this current climate when people are struggling - this suggests that QPR just stands for quick profit and run (as mentioned in another thread). The toilet facilities are a joke, and as far as leg room in Ellerslie Rd don't make me laugh. I really wanted the Indians to take over, hopefully they might do. I want Paladini to leave as I am sure that he is behind a lot of dodgy dealings at the club. I only hope that NW is given an opportunity to work his magic for next couple of years and take QPR alot further than he has done. I also hope that real QPR fans aren't shafted th way real CFC fans have been since Ambromovitch has taken over an priced out of games. At a recent auction, two tickets fo a CFC v QPR VIP day experience for forth coming season went for £650. Accoding to seller each ticket on its own as worth in the region of £150. For me to now get to QPR, it wiol cost me well over £100 per game as I have fuel (from Bournemouth) to London and return, parking charges, ticket price, programme and refreshment. Football always used to be a working mans game, now its seen as a rich man's toy and real fans only want to be given a little respect
