The QPR case: Explained - WalesOnline

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QPR have been charged by the FA for allegedly breaking the rules on third-party ownership. They face a formal FA hearing, which begins toady, with a decision expected on Friday.

Here, football correspondent Chris Wathan explains what it means.

QPR have seen their promotion hopes plunged into uncertainty after being accused of breaking FA rules over third-party ownership.

The Championship leaders are already promoted but their stranglehold on the division has been thrown into doubt after being threatened with points deduction for allegedly breaking FA regulations over player ownership, use of an unauthorised agent and providing false information on official documents.

They are currently nine points ahead of Cardiff and 11 ahead of Swansea going into the final match of the season on Saturday, with some reports suggesting they could even be docked 15 points if found guilty.

The seven different charges made against the Loftus Road club and chairman Gianni Paladini relate to the signing of midfielder Alejandro Faurlin.

QPR deny any wrongdoing and are ready to contest the charges, ready to face a formal FA hearing to stop any potential docking of points that would throw the race to the Premier League wide open.

Here, WalesOnline looks at just what QPR have been accused of - and what it could mean for our Welsh top-flight chasers.

THE STORY

Midfielder Faurlin was signed by QPR from Argentine club Instituto de Cordoba in July 2009 in a deal reported to be worth £3.5m. However, it has now been reported that Instituo have not received any monies from the transfer and the deal was instead allegedly agreed with a third party over the player's economic rights and that QPR failed to notify the FA of this.

Furthermore, QPR have been accused of using an agent not registered or approved by world governing body Fifa during the transfer.

In addition, when extending the player's Hoops contract last year, QPR and Paladini have been accused of falsifying FA documents to cover up the true nature of the player's original contract.

The alleged events were uncovered last September by the Football League - but they passed the case to the FA as they had no rules regarding third-party ownership.

And the 24-year-old was given the go-ahead to continue playing in the Championship despite this after they gave the green-light for QPR to buy-out his third-party contract and make him unreservedly a QPR player.

WHAT IS THIRD PARTY OWNERSHIP?

Third-party ownership is the ownership of a player's economic rights by third-party sources, such as football agents, sports-management agencies, or other investors. It is common place in South America but against strict FA rules.

WHAT IS AN UNAUTHORISED AGENT?

All football clubs are only permitted to deal with agents officially recognised, licensed and registered with Fifa, world football's governing body, and the FA.

WHAT HAPPENS NOW?

QPR will put their case in front of a formal FA hearing today, with a decision expected on Friday. If found guilty, they could face a fine or a points deduction. They would, of course, appeal, meaning the play-off semi-finals could yet be delayed.

THE PRECEDENTS

Luton Town were recently hit with a 10 point deduction in 2008 for breaching FA rules over agents, although that was referring to illegal payments made to agents as well as the use of unlicensed agents.

The most famous case regarding to third-party ownership is Tevez-gate in 2007 which sparked the FA's rule banning such contracts.

The Hammers were fined £5.5m by an independent Premier League commission for their signing of Argentine striker Carlos Tevez, a player who would have a large impact on Premier League survival that season at the expense of Sheffield United. That outcome was criticised for not being severe enough after West Ham avoided a points deduction, with Blades boss - and current QPR manager Neil Warnock - leading the claims for docking of points.

However, West Ham's punishment did not include breaching the rule on third-party ownership as it was only put in place following the Tevez affair. They were simply charged by the Premier League for failing to supply all relevant information regarding the transfer.

In contrast, QPR have been charged of breaking that rule - as well as others - so there is no real precedent for the charges they are accused of.

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