Queens Park Rangers could face demotion to the Conference unless they pay £40 million FFP fine

QPR chairman Tony Fernandes might have to pay the £40 million FFP fine if they get relegated

Premier League club Queens Park Rangers might have to pay a fine of £40 million as penalty for their violation of the financial fairplay rules. If they get relegated and the club refuse to pay the fine, they will be faced with demotion to the Football Conference.

The London club, who reported losses of £65.4 million pre-tax for the season ending in May 2013, are expected to incur losses this year too which covers their year in the Championship. They will then have to pay an expected fine of £40 million for non-compliance with the FFP rules.

With the club having just made it back to the Premier League, their chairman Tony Fernandes has said that he will fight any fine imposed on the club by the League. The money from the fine will go to charity rather than other clubs under terms agreed with the Premier League over its solidarity payments.

Speaking at the Soccerex convention, Football League chief executive Shaun Harvey said, “Theoretically, that is the position but I would hope there would be resolution long before that option even had to be considered. The one thing for certain is that most clubs [in the Premier League] will become a Football League club again.”

He said he was satisfied that QPR could be charged for violation of the rules while they were still part of the competition and that the ultimate penalty would be to refuse re-admission.

“Now QPR will of course be hoping it does not happen for some considerable number of seasons. But the chances they will need to return to the Football League fold at some point in the future. Certainly, three of the current 20 clubs that are in the Premier League will be in the Football League next season.”

“Will we fight the fine? What do you think? After all we’ve been through, it’s my middle name – ‘Fight It’ Fernandes,” said the Rangers’ chairman after the club won promotion.

“My view has been consistent, that it is very unfair for a club that has been relegated as the wage difference between the Premier League and Championship is impossible. There should be a time period for clubs to rectify their salaries.

“If we were in the Championship in two years with that wage bill it wouldn’t be right. I’m in favour of FFP but it is unfair for a club coming down.”