What is happening at my beloved QPR?
Death threats, forced resignations at gun point, SO19, dodgy directors what is going on?
QPR director charged with blackmail threats
By Times Online and PA News
A director of Queens Park Rangers football club appeared in court today charged with blackmail and threats against another club director.
David Morris, 49, was among 11 men arrested by armed police near the QPR ground in west London on Saturday, after Gianni Paladini said that a gang held a gun to his head and forced him to sign a resignation letter, minutes before the team’s 2-1 Championship win over Sheffield United.
Four men have been charged over the alleged incident. Mr Morris appeared at West London Magistrates’ Court in Hammersmith today alongside David Davenport, 37, Michael Reynolds, 44, and Andrew Baker, 39, all charged with conspiracy to commit blackmail and joint possession of a firearm with intent to commit grievous bodily harm.
District Judge Susan Williams remanded the four in custody pending their appearance before at the Old Bailey for a preliminary hearing on November 21. Applications for bail on behalf of Davenport and Reynolds were refused.
Police have said another seven men have been bailed to return on various dates pending further enquiries.
Armed officers were deployed within the Loftus Road ground following the incident on Saturday afternoon.
The men were casually dressed in their 45-minute appearance. Mr Morris wore a grey, open-necked casual shirt, and the other three men wore T-shirts.
Lawyers for two of the men complained of press coverage of the alleged incident. Jeffrey Lewis, for Mr Morris, said that Mr Paladini appeared to be speaking directly to the press, at the same time as giving statements about the matter.
The judge said: "I would sound a note of warning, for everybody’s benefit, that if reporting of these proceedings strays beyond proper boundaries, it may cause difficulties with the progress of the case."
Later, the judge made a ruling that the men’s addresses were not to be disclosed.
Mr Paladini, a former football agent who represented Ex-Middlesbrough striker Fabrizio Ravanelli, bought his stake in the club last May and has become an influential figure there. A significant proportion of the club is owned by a Monaco-based group of investors for whom Mr Paladini is the public face.
He lives in London with his English wife, Olga, and has a business portfolio which includes several nightclubs.
"I was petrified," he said yesterday about the incident. "They shouted at me to sign a piece of paper resigning from the board. Of course I signed it, but I have no intention of leaving the club."
QPR director charged with blackmail threats
By Times Online and PA News
A director of Queens Park Rangers football club appeared in court today charged with blackmail and threats against another club director.
David Morris, 49, was among 11 men arrested by armed police near the QPR ground in west London on Saturday, after Gianni Paladini said that a gang held a gun to his head and forced him to sign a resignation letter, minutes before the team’s 2-1 Championship win over Sheffield United.
Four men have been charged over the alleged incident. Mr Morris appeared at West London Magistrates’ Court in Hammersmith today alongside David Davenport, 37, Michael Reynolds, 44, and Andrew Baker, 39, all charged with conspiracy to commit blackmail and joint possession of a firearm with intent to commit grievous bodily harm.
District Judge Susan Williams remanded the four in custody pending their appearance before at the Old Bailey for a preliminary hearing on November 21. Applications for bail on behalf of Davenport and Reynolds were refused.
Police have said another seven men have been bailed to return on various dates pending further enquiries.
Armed officers were deployed within the Loftus Road ground following the incident on Saturday afternoon.
The men were casually dressed in their 45-minute appearance. Mr Morris wore a grey, open-necked casual shirt, and the other three men wore T-shirts.
Lawyers for two of the men complained of press coverage of the alleged incident. Jeffrey Lewis, for Mr Morris, said that Mr Paladini appeared to be speaking directly to the press, at the same time as giving statements about the matter.
The judge said: "I would sound a note of warning, for everybody’s benefit, that if reporting of these proceedings strays beyond proper boundaries, it may cause difficulties with the progress of the case."
Later, the judge made a ruling that the men’s addresses were not to be disclosed.
Mr Paladini, a former football agent who represented Ex-Middlesbrough striker Fabrizio Ravanelli, bought his stake in the club last May and has become an influential figure there. A significant proportion of the club is owned by a Monaco-based group of investors for whom Mr Paladini is the public face.
He lives in London with his English wife, Olga, and has a business portfolio which includes several nightclubs.
"I was petrified," he said yesterday about the incident. "They shouted at me to sign a piece of paper resigning from the board. Of course I signed it, but I have no intention of leaving the club."
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