QPR latest: PL club could potentially face demotion to Conference

QPR are reportedly at risk of being expelled from the Football League, and consequently refused re-entry to the Championship, if they are relegated from the Premier League and do not comply with Financial Fair Play regulations.

The Hoops are widely expected to announce losses of around £60m from last term, when they celebrated promotion to the top-flight. If this is the case, they could face a sizeable fine of about £40m from the Football League, according to reports.

In the event that they fail to observe the rules and pay any fine, Football League chief executive Shaun Harvey has reportedly said that they could refuse to allow the London club to participate in the Championship if they are relegated.

Harvey did, however, appear to indicate that such a dramatic measure would be a last resort, saying: “Theoretically that is the position, but I would hope there would be resolution long before that option even had to be considered.

“We are satisfied we still have the ability under our regulations to charge them for a breach of our rules whilst they were in membership.”

In a further, slightly philanthropic twist, the potential fine for the apparent breach could end up donated to charity, instead of being distributed among remaining Championship clubs.

Speaking about the decision, Harvey stated: “It was the intention that those clubs that didn’t breach the regulations would share the fines but that principle did not find favour with the Premier League, which was disappointing because that was what the 24 member clubs wanted, but they agreed that the money would be distributed instead to charity.”

Meanwhile, it is expected that QPR will oppose any fine after chairman Tony Fernandes spoke to media in May to outline the club’s position: “Will we fight the fine? What do you think? After all we’ve been through, it’s my middle name – ‘Fight It’ Fernandes.

“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.”