QPR have been fined £20k for their part in "the great brawl of China". A further £20k fine has been suspended while former assistant manager Richard Hill is facing a three month ban from football.
QPR were fined £40,000 for their involvement in the infamous 'Great Brawl of China' on February 9th during the behind closed doors 'friendly' match following a Disciplinary Commission hearing today. £20,000 of the fine has been suspended until May 31st 2008.
The Club admitted a charge of failing to ensure that its players and / or officials conducted themselves in an orderly fashion and refrained from violent and / or threatening and / or provocative behaviour.
Graham Bean, the disciplinary expert and former FA compliance officer heading QPR's defence, said: "There was provocation and the emphasis will be on the conduct of the Chinese people. The video and pictures show best what it was all about and the extraordinary circumstances involved are the basis of QPR's mitigation."
Former assistant manager Richard Hill was found guilty of violent conduct and is facing a three month ban from football after being photographed punching a Chinese player in the face.
Newspaper previews of the hearing:
QPR have previously complained that the FA were failing to cooperate with them by naming a date for the hearing and providing the club's defence team with access to the referee for the game Dermot Gallagher.
The club at the time of course denied a game was taking place after stories that the teams would meet at Loftus Road appeared on Ceefax. The Chinese touring side had disciplinary issues throughout their trip and started a similar fight in a meeting with Chelsea's second string.
Richard Hill, photographed punching a Chinese player in the face, was quickly suspended by the club and will not return regardless of the outcome of the hearing today.
Alistair Grant - Telegraph
QPR will try to avoid a six-figure fine at a Football Association 'Great Brawl of China' disciplinary hearing today - by insisting their Chinese opponents started the 30-man fight.
The incident on Feb 7, when Rangers' players and assistant manager Richard Hill traded blows with the Chinese Olympic team, halted a 'friendly' and left China's Zheng Tao with a broken jaw.
FA disciplinary officials will finally hear the case today after it was delayed due to Hill's arrest over the incident. He was later told he would not face criminal charges.
QPR have admitted a charge of failing to ensure their players refrained from violent behaviour but will claim today that they were provoked, hoping to be let off with a small fine rather than a six-figure financial penalty or even a points deduction.
Graham Bean, the disciplinary expert and former FA compliance officer heading QPR's defence, said: "There was provocation and the emphasis will be on the conduct of the Chinese people. The video and pictures show best what it was all about and the extraordinary circumstances involved are the basis of QPR's mitigation."
Hill, whose case will also be heard today, denies a charge of violent conduct despite being photographed punching China's Jiang Ning in the face.
Football in Brief - The Times
Queens Park Rangers will try to avoid a six-figure fine at the FA's "Great Brawl of China" disciplinary hearing today by insisting that their Chinese opponents started the infamous 30-man fight on February 7, when QPR players and their assistant manager, Richard Hill, traded blows with the China Olympic team.
The "friendly", which left Zheng Tao, of China, with a broken jaw, was soon halted.
FA disciplinary officials will finally hear the case today after it was delayed because of Hill's arrest over the brawl. He was later told he would not face criminal charges.
QPR have admitted a charge of failing to ensure that their players refrained from violent behaviour but will claim today that they were provoked, hoping to be let off with a small fine rather than a large financial penalty or even a points deduction.