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- World's Richest Billionaires including Lakshmi Mittal and the Ecclestone Family
- Year Flashback: QPR chief keen to renew dialogue with Fans
- On This Day in Football, March 10....Decade ago today: Leon Knight Makes his QPR Debut!
- Year ago: "Chelsea Face Questions Over Unlicensed Agents"
- The Complete QPR Accounts (for Year Ending May 31, 2010)
- Year ago: Messageboard Thread: "What Questions Remain for Paladini"
- The FA Rules and Regulations
Paul Warburton/Fulham Chronicle - Exclusive - Alejandro Faurlin's QPR transfer saga revealed March 10 2011
QPR paid nothing for Alejandro Faurlin when the Argentine midfielder was transferred from Instituto de Cordoba in 2009 – far less than a record £3.5millon fee.
Chronicle Sport has learned from sources both in west London and Argentina the deal was essentially a one-year loan, and a fee was then paid to a group of businessmen to buy out Faurlin’s ‘contract’ and make him unreservedly a Rangers player – it is understood.
Rangers and chairman Gianni Paladini are charged with seven different breaches of FA regulations that could carry a points deduction and/or a fine, not dissimilar to the Carlos Tevez affair that saw West Ham £5.5million out of pocket when they admitted to charges related to the Argentine’s ownership in 2007.
Faurlin has gradually become a fans’ favourite – but controversy has stalked the transfer fee supposedly paid for the 24-year-old.
It has swung back and forwards between £2m and £3.5m – but an Instituto insider reckons the club have yet to see a single peso.
The source said: "The club got nothing – but that’s not uncommon in Argentine football. Quite often businessmen with spare cash invest in a new Maradona – and this looks to be the case here. What was the fee? Who knows?"
QPR were also charged with "using or seeking to pay an unauthorised agent" when the player was signed two years ago.
The FA did not say who the unauthorised agent was, but the governing body considers it a serious offence to deal with anybody who is not licensed under Fifa regulations.
Paladini and the club were also charged with submitting false information in documents lodged with the FA when Faurlin signed an extension to his playing contract last October.
All players' contracts have to be sent to the FA, and it is understood this seventh charge also relates to dealing with an unauthorised agent. Fulham Chronicle
EVENING STANDARD - QPR prepared to fight charges over Alejandro Faurlin transfer
QPR have denied any wrongdoing after the npower Championship leaders were charged by the Football Association on seven counts of breaching regulations relating to third-party ownership and agents.
The FA charges relate to the club's signing of Argentinian midfielder Alejandro Faurlin, who joined Rangers for a fee believed to be a club record in the region of £3.5million in 2009.
The club have been charged with agreeing a deal with a third party in the player's transfer and allegedly failing to inform the FA of the arrangement before registering Faurlin, who made 44 appearances last season and has featured in 31 games this term.
An FA statement announcing the news also confirmed that the club are alleged to have used or sought to pay an unauthorised agent in relation to Faurlin's registration.
It read: "The club charges relate to the player Alejandro Faurlin and concern the alleged existence of an agreement between the club and a third party in respect of the player's economic rights, and the alleged failure by the club to notify the FA of that agreement before the player was registered to play in England in July 2009."
Additionally, club chairman Gianni Paladini has been charged, along with Rangers, over documents alleged to be false which were sent to the FA when the 24-year-old extended his contract at Loftus Road in October last year.
In a statement on their official website, the club acknowledged the charges had been received but said both they and Paladini were innocent and would be seeking a hearing.
"Having co-operated fully with the FA's investigation, QPR and Mr Paladini shall be denying all of the charges and requesting a formal FA hearing to determine them," the statement read.
"QPR and Mr Paladini are confident that there has been no deliberate wrongdoing involved."
Should the club be found guilty, the FA's Regulatory Commission will be tasked with deciding upon a necessary punishment, with a points deduction not impossible.
The Hoops are currently seven points clear at the top of the second tier and had been seen as certainties to win promotion to the Barclays Premier League.
The issue of third-party ownership first came to light in England due to the Carlos Tevez affair, which culminated in West Ham paying a fine of £5.5million to Sheffield United after the Argentina striker helped the Hammers stay in the top flight at United's expense.
QPR boss Neil Warnock was the Blades manager at the time they were relegated.
That case prompted a change in Premier League regulations and although they will not apply in this case as they have no jurisdiction over Football League clubs, the FA adopted a similar policy of their own in 2009. Evening Standard
David Conn/The Guardian
QPR face points deduction after FA acts over Alejandro Faurlin transfer
• Championship leaders face seven FA charges
• Argentinian's registration 'owned by third party'
The course of this season's Championship title race could be dramatically altered if the runaway leaders Queens Park Rangers are docked points after being charged with seven serious breaches of Football Association rules.
The FA has alleged that QPR fielded a player, the Argentinian midfielder Alejandro Faurlin, for a full season in 2009-10 while his registration was not owned by the club but by a third party. That, the FA alleges, breached the rule introduced in July 2009 following the Carlos Tevez affair, which prohibited English clubs from fielding players owned wholly or in part by third‑party interests.
West Ham United were fined £5.5m by an independent Premier League commission in 2007 for breaching regulations when signing Tevez, a decision widely criticised as not severe enough because West Ham were not docked points. By a twist of fate the manager of Sheffield United, who went down in 2006-07 and then sued West Ham because the latter had stayed up with Tevez's help, was Neil Warnock, now manager of QPR. At the time Warnock argued publicly that West Ham should have been docked points.
West Ham were not charged then with breaching the prohibition on third‑party ownership because that rule was not yet in place. Their disciplinary case was brought by the Premier League for their failure to supply all relevant documentation in a transfer and acting in bad faith, two charges applied to QPR on Wednesday.
QPR, seven points clear of Swansea City at the top of the Championship, are charged with breaching four rules for fielding Faurlin while he was owned by a third party. The FA is understood to allege Faurlin's owner was a company, but the governing body did not disclose the company's identitywhen announcing the charges.
QPR were also charged with "using or seeking to pay an unauthorised agent" when the player was signed in July 2009. The FA did not say who the unauthorised agent was but the governing body considers it a serious offence for a club to deal with anybody in a transfer who is not licensed as an agent under Fifa regulations.
The club and its chairman, Gianni Paladini, were also charged with submitting false information in documents lodged with the FA when Faurlin signed an extension to his playing contract in October 2010. All players' contracts with clubs have to be sent to the FA and it is understood that this seventh charge also relates to dealing with an unauthorised agent.
Just one of these charges on its own could produce heavy penalties, including swingeing fines and points deduction. In June 2008 Luton Town were docked 10 points by an FA disciplinary commission for breaches of rules which included dealing with unlicensed agents in four transfers, none as substantial or high profile as that of Faurlin. No club has yet been charged for breaching the prohibition on third‑party ownership introduced in 2009, so the FA commission hearing the QPR case will be under pressure to set a convincing precedent if it upholds the charges. The FA will be keen to have the case decided soon, so that any penalty will come into effect this season.
Faurlin has made a major impact at Loftus Road, having been the QPR players' and supporters' player of the year in his first season last year, and is a regular in Warnock's side this season.
The alleged ownership of his registration by an outside company is understood to have come to light last summer after the Football League introduced its own rules barring third‑party ownership. QPR approached the league, saying they wanted to buy out Faurlin's registration, and the league is understood to have then referred the club to the FA.
QPR issued a statement on Wednesday saying the club and Paladini will be "denying all of the charges and requesting a formal FA hearing to determine them. QPR and Mr Paladini are confident that there has been no deliberate wrongdoing involved".
Paladini said he could not elaborate and the club has appointed lawyers to defend the charges. "I am happy with the way we acted," he said. "I do not think we have anything to worry about." The Guardian
MAIL/Charles Sale & Sami Mokbel - Rangers in the dock! QPR face points deduction threat after FA charge
Queens Park Rangers' Barclays Premier League dream was plunged into uncertainty on Wednesday night when they were faced with a points deduction for breaking FA rules.
Championship leaders QPR were charged with seven breaches of third-party ownership and agents laws over their £3.4million signing of Alejandro Faurlin from Argentinian side Instituto de Cordoba in 2009.
FA sources refused to rule out a points penalty that would leave boss Neil Warnock's promotion push in jeopardy.
Rangers have been charged with agreeing a deal with a third party, understood to be an Italian agent, for Faurlin's economic rights and failing to notify the FA of the arrangement.
It is also alleged that QPR used or sought to pay an unauthorised agent and, along with chairman Gianni Paladini, submitted false documents when Faurlin extended his deal last year.
Rangers last night revealed their intention to fight the charges. A club statement read: 'Having co-operated fully with the FA's investigation, QPR and Mr Paladini shall be denying all of the charges and requesting a formal FA hearing to determine them.
'QPR and Mr Paladini are confident that there has been no deliberate wrongdoing involved.'
The FA are dealing with the matter because at the time of midfielder Faurlin's move to Loftus Road, the Football League did not have the regulations in place to deal with the allegations.
Rangers sources were last night adamant a points deduction was not on the cards. However, the charges are being dealt with seriously by Wembley officials and Sportsmail understands such a penalty is an option the FA will consider.
The case has echoes of the controversial Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano affair in 2006-07, which eventually led to West Ham being hit with a hefty fine. The Hammers were fined £5.5million after being found guilty of acting improperly and withholding vital documentation over the duo's ownership.
At the time of the Argentina stars' move to Upton Park, they were part-owned by Media Sports Investment. Sheffield United argued that Tevez played a major role in keeping West Ham in the top flight and claimed the east London club should be hit with a points penalty.
The Blades, who ironically were managed by Warnock at the time, were relegated instead as the Hammers avoided the drop by three points.
Because West Ham entered a guilty plea - essentially acknowledging their wrongdoing - they avoided any points deduction.
And it is Rangers' decision to challenge the charge, a move that has not been received well by the FA, that could play a crucial role in the club being deducted points.
QPR currently have a seven-point cushion at the top of the Championship and look on course for a return to the Premier League.
One club insider told Sportsmail last night: 'This is really worrying for the players. Everyone at the club has worked so hard to get us within sight of promotion. This was the first that many of the players would have heard about the charge and it has come as a shock.
'We don't know the ins and outs of the process yet. We don't know what the time scale is so this isn't a particularly pleasant thing to be hanging over the team as they look to win promotion. Hopefully we are not deducted points. We'll be devastated if this costs us promotion.'
Another Loftus Road source said: 'I don't know what to think. The worst thing is not knowing what is going to happen.
'Everyone at the club has come so far this season and for it to be snatched away from us over something we have no control over would kill us. 'All we can do now is crack on and keep on picking up the points. We can't let this detract from what we are trying to achieve. We can't lose focus.' Daily Mail
TELEGRAPH/Paul Kelso - Points Deduction
Queens Park Rangers face points deduction after fielding ineligible player
Championship leaders Queens Park Rangers face a possible points deduction after they were charged with a breach of rule banning third-party ownership in relation to Alejandro Faurlin.
Costly mistake: Alejandro Faurlin (left) in action for Queens Park Rangers in their recent defeat of Ipswich Town Photo:
The Argentine midfielder joined QPR in July 2009 from Institute FC for £3.5 million but it is now alleged that when he did so an un-named third-party retained a stake in his economic rights.
The FA on Wednesday charged the club and chairman Gianni Paladini with breaching seven regulations, including providing false information when the player was registered.
It is also charged with making payments to an unauthorised agent when Faurlin was signed.
If found guilty the club could face a range of penalties from a fine to a points deduction that might place their promotion chase in jeopardy. They are currently seven points clear at the top of the Championship and strong favourites to return to the Premier League.
The closest parallel to the case is that of Carlos Tévez who played for West Ham United in breach of the Premier League's third-party rules.
West Ham were eventually punished with a £5m fine rather than a points deduction and Tévez was permitted to continue playing, scoring the goals that kept the club in the league.
Sheffield United were the biggest losers from the Tévez case, being relegated under the management of Neil Warnock, who is now in charge at Loftus Road.
The FA consider that Faurlin, who is a QPR regular played 31 games and has scored twice this season, has been eligible to play because his registration was lodged with the FA.
The club will be charged with concealing the true nature of his contract from the FA when making that registration.
The Football League discovered the alleged breach of rules in September last year but as it did not have rules banning third –party ownership at the time he signed the case was passed to the FA.
The FA allowed QPR to buy out the third-party rights in October 2010 so that the player could continue to play without breaching any rules.
At the time QPR announced he had signed a four-year contract extension but did not mention the change in his contractual arrangements.
In a statement the FA said: "The FA has charged Queens Park Rangers FC with seven breaches of FA regulations.
"The Club charges relate to the player Alejandro Faurlin and concern the alleged existence of an agreement between the Club and a third party in respect of the player's economic rights, and the alleged failure by the Club to notify The FA of that agreement before the player was registered to play in England in July 2009.
"These charges are brought under FA Rules C1(b)(iii) and E3, and the Third Party Investment in Players Regulations, A1 and A2.
"The Club is also charged with allegedly using or seeking to pay an Unauthorised Agent in relation to the player's registration in July 2009.
This charge is brought under the Players Agents Regulations, A1.
"The Club and Club Official Gianni Paladini are also charged in respect of allegedly false information contained in documents submitted to The FA in relation to the same player signing an extension to his playing contract with the Club in October 2010. These charges are brought under the Players Agents Regulations, C2, and FA Rule E3." Telegraph
MIRROR QPR face points penalty over record signing
Published 23:00 09/03/11 By Mike Walters
QPR could be docked points after being charged with seven breaches of transfer rules.
The FA last night called the Championship leaders – managed by ex-Sheffield United boss Neil Warnock – to account over their club-record £3.5million signing of Argentinian midfielder Alejandro Faurlin in 2009.
If found guilty, Mirror Sport understands QPR could escape with a heavy fine or possible suspended points deduction.
Manager Neil Warnock was shocked to discover the club have been charged with agreeing a deal with a third party over Faurlin’s economic rights and failing to notify the FA of the arrangement before the player was registered.
Faurlin, who has made 30 appearances in the Championship this season, was largely anonymous as they slumped to only their fourth League defeat of the season at Millwall on Tuesday.
Rangers are still seven points clear at the top, however, and Warnock is odds-on to restore them to the Premier League after a 15-year absence.
Third-party ownership became one of football’s prickliest issues four years ago, when the Premier League fined West Ham a record £5.5million over the paperwork governing Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano’s move to Upton Park as a job-lot when they were partially owned by businessman Kia Joorabchian’s company MSI.
Rangers are alleged to have used, or sought to pay, an unauthorised agent in relation to Faurlin’s registration, while former chairman Gianni Paladini has also been charged with submitting allegedly false documents to the FA when 24-year-old Faurlin extended his contract at Loftus Road last October.
Last night, Wembley sources revealed the range of sanctions available to the FA’s regulatory commission includes warnings, fines and deduction of points.
The FA will not treat the Tevez case, which came under Premier League jurisdiction, as a direct precedent.
But they will press for the case to be heard before the end of the season - so QPR’s promotion rivals cannot lodge post-dated appeals against the outcome, similiar to Sheffield United’s £25m compensation payout from West Ham over the Tevez affair.
The Blades - then managed, ironically, by Warnock - were relegated in 2007 after Tevez inspired the Hammers’ controversial escape from the drop.
In a statement on the club website, QPR acknowledged the charges received by themselves and Paladini but denied any wrongdoing.
It said: “Having co-operated fully with the FA’s investigation, QPR and Mr Paladini shall be denying all of the charges and requesting a formal FA hearing to determine them. QPR and Mr Paladini are confident that there has been no deliberate wrongdoing involved.”
MIRROR
FA -QPR and Paladini charged
Wednesday, 09 March, 2011
Charges issued for breaches of Third Party and Agents Regulations.
The FA has charged Queens Park Rangers FC with seven breaches of FA regulations.
The Club charges relate to the player Alejandro Faurlin and concern the alleged existence of an agreement between the Club and a third party in respect of the player’s economic rights, and the alleged failure by the Club to notify The FA of that agreement before the player was registered to play in England in July 2009.
These charges are brought under FA Rules C1(b)(iii) and E3, and the Third Party Investment in Players Regulations, A1 and A2.
The Club is also charged with allegedly using or seeking to pay an Unauthorised Agent in relation to the player’s registration in July 2009. This charge is brought under the Players Agents Regulations, A1.
The Club and Club Official Gianni Paladini are also charged in respect of allegedly false information contained in documents submitted to The FA in relation to the same player signing an extension to his playing contract with the Club in October 2010. These charges are brought under the Players Agents Regulations, C2, and FA Rule E3.
The FA will make no further comment at this time. FA
QPR OFFICIAL CLUB STATEMENT
Posted on: Wed 09 Mar 2011
In response to a statement from the FA (click here) earlier today, Queens Park Rangers Football Club have issued the following response.
Club Statement
Queens Park Rangers and Gianni Paladini can confirm that they have received charges from the Football Association.
Having co-operated fully with the FA's investigation, QPR and Mr Paladini shall be denying all of the charges and requesting a formal FA hearing to determine them.
QPR and Mr Paladini are confident that there has been no deliberate wrongdoing involved.
Given this matter will now be dealt with by an FA hearing, neither the Club nor Mr Paladini are able to make any further comment. QPR
TELEGRAPH/Paul Kelso - Points Deduction
Queens Park Rangers face points deduction after fielding ineligible player
Championship leaders Queens Park Rangers face a possible points deduction after they were charged with a breach of rule banning third-party ownership in relation to Alejandro Faurlin.
Costly mistake: Alejandro Faurlin (left) in action for Queens Park Rangers in their recent defeat of Ipswich Town Photo:
The Argentine midfielder joined QPR in July 2009 from Institute FC for £3.5 million but it is now alleged that when he did so an un-named third-party retained a stake in his economic rights.
The FA on Wednesday charged the club and chairman Gianni Paladini with breaching seven regulations, including providing false information when the player was registered.
It is also charged with making payments to an unauthorised agent when Faurlin was signed.
If found guilty the club could face a range of penalties from a fine to a points deduction that might place their promotion chase in jeopardy. They are currently seven points clear at the top of the Championship and strong favourites to return to the Premier League.
The closest parallel to the case is that of Carlos Tévez who played for West Ham United in breach of the Premier League's third-party rules.
West Ham were eventually punished with a £5m fine rather than a points deduction and Tévez was permitted to continue playing, scoring the goals that kept the club in the league.
Sheffield United were the biggest losers from the Tévez case, being relegated under the management of Neil Warnock, who is now in charge at Loftus Road.
The FA consider that Faurlin, who is a QPR regular played 31 games and has scored twice this season, has been eligible to play because his registration was lodged with the FA.
The club will be charged with concealing the true nature of his contract from the FA when making that registration.
The Football League discovered the alleged breach of rules in September last year but as it did not have rules banning third –party ownership at the time he signed the case was passed to the FA.
The FA allowed QPR to buy out the third-party rights in October 2010 so that the player could continue to play without breaching any rules.
At the time QPR announced he had signed a four-year contract extension but did not mention the change in his contractual arrangements.
In a statement the FA said: "The FA has charged Queens Park Rangers FC with seven breaches of FA regulations.
"The Club charges relate to the player Alejandro Faurlin and concern the alleged existence of an agreement between the Club and a third party in respect of the player's economic rights, and the alleged failure by the Club to notify The FA of that agreement before the player was registered to play in England in July 2009.
"These charges are brought under FA Rules C1(b)(iii) and E3, and the Third Party Investment in Players Regulations, A1 and A2.
"The Club is also charged with allegedly using or seeking to pay an Unauthorised Agent in relation to the player's registration in July 2009.
This charge is brought under the Players Agents Regulations, A1.
"The Club and Club Official Gianni Paladini are also charged in respect of allegedly false information contained in documents submitted to The FA in relation to the same player signing an extension to his playing contract with the Club in October 2010. These charges are brought under the Players Agents Regulations, C2, and FA Rule E3."
Telegraph
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FLASHBACK: FAURLIN SIGNS FOR QPR
QPR Official Site: October 5, 2010 - EXCLUSIVE: FAURLIN PENS NEW DEAL
- The Club is delighted to announce that Argentine ace Alejandro Faurlin has put pen to paper on a new deal with the R's.
- The 24 year-old has signed an extended deal, tying him to the Club until the summer of 2014.
- The 24 year-old has signed an extended deal, tying him to the Club until the summer of 2014
Faurlin has made a quite extraordinary impact since joining the R's from Institute in the summer of 2009.
- In his debut season in W12, he made 44 appearances in all competitions and went on to scoop both the Player's Player and Supporter's Player of the Year awards.
- His fine form continued at the start of this season, only for a minor hamstring injury to rule him out of the R's last four Championship fixtures.
- However, the midfielder has recently returned to full training and is likely to be in contention for the visit of Norwich City to Loftus Road after the international break.
QPR Official Site - July 2009 EXCLUSIVE: R'S AGREE FAURLIN DEAL
- Jim Magilton's first signing as QPR Manager has arrived in the shape of Argentinean midfielder Alejandro Faurlin.
- he 22 year-old has penned a three year deal at Loftus Road, with Rangers agreeing a deal worth £3.5million for the left-sided player.
- The deal, however, is subject to Faurlin receiving international clearance.
- Speaking exclusively to www.qpr.co.uk, Magilton expressed his delight at the signing of the left footed midfielder, commenting: "He's a good signing for the Football Club.
- "We've had a good look at him and I believe he'll be a valuable addition to the squad.
- "He's a likeable young lad who plays with a smile on his face, so we'll have no problems."
- Faurlin, who made 34 appearances last year for the Argentine Club Instituto, said: "I am really pleased to be here in England, playing for a Club like Queens Park Rangers.
- "I know a lot about the English game and I really admire the ability of the teams at this level.
- "I am really looking forward to playing for the Club and showing the Manager, my fellow players and the QPR supporters what I can do."
- Faurlin added: "I had opportunities to play in Spain, Italy and Greece, but QPR was my choice and I'm delighted to be here.
- "I was really impressed with the set-up and the ambition of the Club and can't wait to make my QPR debut." - More reaction to followQPR
QPR Official Site - JIM'S JOY AT FIRST SIGNING
- Jim Magilton wore a broad smile this evening (Tuesday) after clinching the signing of Argentinean ace Alejandro Faurlin.
- The 22 year-old midfielder has penned a three year deal - subject to international clearance - and becomes Magilton's first signing at Loftus Road.
- "We've been watching the lad for some time. John (Gorman) recognised him a long time ago," Magilton revealed to www.qpr.co.uk.
- "We've seen him in action and on DVD's and assessed what he's about, but having him here for the last few days has given us a chance to see what he's really like and we've been impressed.
- "He plays central midfield. He's got a lovely left foot, a great work ethic and in a 46 game season, he'll be a valuable player for us."
- Magilton added: "We knew about his quality and ability, but his attitude over the last few days has been great too.
- "I've signed an Argentinean before and the attitude and the hunger is apparent with Alejandro, as it was with (Luciano) Civelli.
- "It's all happened pretty quickly, but we're delighted to have him here. He'll bring extra quality to the squad, there's no doubt about that." QPR
AUGUST 2009 - Official Site
QPR Official Site - GAFFER: FAURLIN WILL NEED TIME
- Jim Magilton insists it will take time for summer signing Alejandro Faurlin to find his feet in the English game, but can't wait to see the Argentine show his true class.
- After being plagued with a thigh injury during pre-season, the 23 year-old was made to wait for his full QPR debut.
- But having come through an 85 minute appearance at Bristol City on Tuesday night unscathed, Magilton is relishing the opportunity to see him adapt to the rigours of the Championship.
- "It was a baptism of fire for Alejandro at Bristol on Tuesday night," Magilton told www.qpr.co.uk.
- "It was a very hard learning curve for him in the first 45 minutes, but he coped well.
- "And credit to the lad, he got on the ball regularly in the second half and showed glimpses of what a fine player he is.
- "He passed the ball well and in the manner we want him to."
- Magilton added: "He's been out for a long time and missed a lot of pre-season, so it's a matter of waiting for him to catch up on his match fitness.
- "He lasted longer than we thought we would, but he needs game time in his legs.
- "I think he's a very, very good player and will prove to be a decent acquisition for the Football Club" QPR
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