MX23RW : Tuesday, December 24 13:27:00| >> :600:138351:138351:

QPR "appalled by" and "vehemently opposed" to Championship restart date

Hoos is 'appalled' by lack of consultation and QPR manager Mark Warburton says EFL are moving too quickly.

QPR chief executive Lee Hoos says the west London club are "vehemently opposed" to the proposed resumption of the Sky Bet Championship on June 20.

The Premier League announced last Thursday that play is due to return on June 17 following the coronavirus suspension that began in mid-March.

The EFL followed suit on Sunday evening when announcing that the Championship is set to restart around the same time – news that shocked and angered QPR.

"I am absolutely stunned by this announcement, as is our director of football Les Ferdinand and our manager Mark Warburton," chief executive Hoos said.

"Incredibly, there has been absolutely no consultation with individual clubs nor with the Championship doctors' working group by the divisional representatives – or anyone else in the Football League – regarding this matter.

"On top of that, we were only made aware of the statement 40 minutes before it was made public.

"Having spoken with Les and Mark, they share my views. We are vehemently opposed to this schedule.

"The players haven't even returned to full-contact training at this moment and yet they are now expected to be in a position to play at a competitive level in just three weeks' time.

"I have made our feelings known to the EFL and, having spoken with a number of CEOs at other Championship clubs, I am not a lone voice on this matter.

"We are absolutely appalled."

Queens Park Rangers v Derby County – Sky Bet Championship – Loftus Road
QPR manager Mark Warburton says the June 20 resumption date set by the EFL 'beggars belief'.

QPR boss Warburton echoed his chief executive's comments, saying it "beggars belief" to be thinking of resuming on June 20 as contact training has yet to restart.

"Staggered," he told talkSPORT. "I think everyone was staggered last night when the news was suddenly announced late evening.

"Little consolation. I know our CEO, who has been outstanding throughout, had no idea. Our medical side had no idea, nor did I.

"We had told the players earlier on a Zoom call that we thought June 27 would be the earliest and now they're looking a week earlier.

"We haven't come back until a week after the Premier League and yet we start on the same day. It's ludicrous."

Warburton added: "To get this sort of shock news last night, no consultation whatsoever with them, how can that possibly be allowed to happen?

"Safety has got to be the priority. The health and welfare of every player and staff member has to be the priority.

"We're going too quickly, it's far too soon. My concerns are very genuine."

ID:401030: cacheID:401030:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:5388:
Written by
P A
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Nahki Wells celebrates scoring for Queens Park Rangers on January 18, 2020
Read Next:
Burnley recall striker Nahki Wells from season-long loan with QPR
>
Read more about Lee Hoos Football
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd22155232112148
2Leeds UnitedLeeds22136341152645
3Burnley2212822891944
4Sunderland22127334181643
5Blackburn RoversBlackburn2111462518737
6Middlesbrough22105738281035
7West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom22811326161035
8Watford2110473028234
9Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds229582830-232
10Millwall217772118328
11Swansea CitySwansea227692424027
12Bristol City226972628-227
13Norwich CityNorwich226883734326
14Queens Park RangersQPR2251072328-525
15Luton TownLuton2274112538-1325
16Derby CountyDerby2266102728-124
17Coventry CityCoventry2266102834-624
18Preston North EndPreston2241172229-723
19Stoke CityStoke2257102330-722
20Portsmouth204882535-1020
21Hull City2247112131-1019
22Cardiff CityCardiff2146111934-1518
23Oxford UnitedOxford Utd2146112137-1618
24Plymouth ArgylePlymouth2146112245-2318


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!