New QPR stadium: ‘Shocked’ Tony Fernandes hits back over council’s stadium claims

It’s good to talk: QPR co-owner Tony Fernandes (right) with London Mayor Sadiq Khan
PA
Simon Johnson7 February 2019

QPR co-owner Tony Fernandes has stepped up his war of words with Hammersmith and Fulham council over the club’s bid to build a new stadium within the borough.

Fernandes has reacted furiously to a statement released by the council last night in response to comments he made earlier in the day. The QPR supremo had urged the club’s fans to pressure the council into backing their proposal to redevelop the Linford Christie athletics stadium.

He also warned that the Championship side might have to move away from W12, where their current home Loftus Road is, if they did not get their way.

However, a spokesman for Hammersmith and Fulham council said: “We’ve had many meetings with Tony Fernandes and his team.

“He’s lobbied us to turn the current QPR stadium into housing and even lobbied us to add in the nearby council homes on Batman Close so he can become one of the biggest developers in White City. We’ve been extremely clear that we will never hand over people’s homes on Batman Close to any developer and cannot give any land away for free.

“If QPR’s owners won’t put their money where their mouth is and invest in the current stadium, we’ve offered to consider other options such as renting other sites.

“We call on the owners to put the club and its fans first and consider an FC Barcelona-style fan ownership. We love QPR but don’t see it as our business to help QPR’s owners engage in property speculation.”

But Fernandes has hit back, saying: “What a horrific and disappointing statement and really unbecoming of a council after all we have done.

“The council knows very clearly our heart is in the borough and we have tried everything to give our fans a new home and build affordable homes for our fans and community. Shock.

“We are not property developers, never will be and don’t want to be. Just enough to build a new home. No different from any other club that has built a new stadium.”

QPR have offered to refund supporters’ rail fares after their match with Bristol City was rescheduled. They were due to take on Bristol City at Ashton Gate next Wednesday, but the match has been moved due to the club’s progression in the FA Cup.

QPR are in the fifth round of the competition for the first time in 22 years after beating Portsmouth 2-0 in their replay at Loftus Road on Tuesday. Goals from strikers Nahki Wells and Matt Smith fired Steve McClaren’s side through and they now face Watford.

BT Sport have selected the Cup tie as one of their television picks and the match is now scheduled to take place a week tomorrow, leading to the club’s game with Bristol City being brought back 24 hours earlier to next Tuesday.

QPR hope to redevelop the Linford Christie athletics stadium 
Denis Jones/Evening Standard

The late rescheduling has risked leaving many fans who had already made travel arrangements out of pocket. QPR are well aware of the issue and as such they have have put a plan in place to ensure the late fixture change does not hit supporters too hard.

The club are offering to refund any fans who had purchased a train ticket for the match with Bristol prior to January 31.

Fans affected by the fixture change should contact the club’s supporters’ liaison officer Andy Rees via @andyr.qpr.co.uk with proof of purchase to be refunded in full.

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