QPR's Disciplinary Hearing Today Over China Brawl

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Reported in Friday's Telegraph and Times

Telegraph - Fight blamed on Chinese By Alistair Grant

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. Telegraph

The Times - QPR await ruling on fight with China
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.
The Times

Also: QPR REPORT Background and update "CHINA BRAWL UPDATE"