27/10/2014
NEWS STORY
Tony Fernandes, who has already sold his F1 team (sort of) and GP2 team, is now threatening to walk away from his football club.
The Malaysian businessman bought Bernie Ecclestone's 66% stake in Queens Park Rangers in late 2011, shortly after the west London club had won promotion to the Premiership for the first time in fifteen years.
Since Fernandes took control of the club, it's fair to say the team has enjoyed a rollercoaster ride, getting through numerous managers and being relegated at the end of the 2012/2013 season.
Having secured promotion again the following season, Fernandes - apparently a lifelong West Ham supporter - complained of being "exploited" since buying in to the team, despite having invested a reported £50m.
"I don't think I will be exploited anymore," he said. "I think I allowed myself to be exploited but that's my choice. Agents are trying to get the best contracts and there are no two ways about it, I had to pay premiums. I've seen all of the parts that make football quite - maybe immoral is a strong word - but they would sell their grandmother to do something. It's all part of the football ecosystem."
Now, as QPR sits at the foot of the Premiership yet again, Fernandes has threatened to walk away from the club if fans are unhappy with his decisions, which include retaining (former Tottenham manager) Harry Redknapp.
"When QPR fans want me to go due to my poor decision making I will go. Full stop," he tweeted today. "A good leader knows when to go. Love QPR and AirAsia but there will come a time and staff and fans dictate that. In our four years of owning Caterham we paid our debts in full, did our best, built a team. We decided to focus on QPR.
"Lets get all our players off the injury list, which we haven't and then judge Harry. I stand by (the fact) we have great players. Need less politics and get behind Harry and players. All players should be unified."
As the Caterham debacle continues, to paraphrase Oscar Wilde, to walk away from one team may be regarded as misfortune, to walk away from three...
By the way, some always said the original purchase of QPR by Ecclestone and Flavio Briatore was more about property than football anyway.
Chris Balfe