Mbia fined over Barton tweet

QPR have fined midfielder Stephane Mbia following comments made on his Twitter account hinting that he may be keen to rejoin Marseille.



Mbia left the French club in August to move to Loftus Road in a deal that saw Joey Barton head in the opposite direction on a season-long loan deal.



The 26-year-old spent three years at Marseille and tweeted at Barton on Monday: "Do you want to rechange your seat with me?"



The tweet prompted an investigation by QPR officials and Ian Taylor, the club's head of media and communications, has revealed that disciplinary action has been taken against Mbia.



"The club has concluded its investigation following a series of tweets which appeared on Stephane Mbia's official Twitter account," tweeted Taylor.



"Stephane has stressed to the club that he is not responsible for the tweets.



"However, the club is of the view that every player that has a Twitter account is ultimately responsible for what appears on it



"As a result, Stephane has been fined and warned in relation to his future conduct. The club will be making no further comment."

Julio Cesar to remain in Europe

Julio Cesar's future has yet to be decided but a return to Brazil is not in the offing, according to the Queens Park Rangers goalkeeper's agent.



Cesar, 33, signed for QPR from Inter Milan last summer and has since made 24 Premier League appearances for the club, impressing despite his side's struggles this season.



With QPR's relegation to the Championship confirmed last Sunday, speculation has begun over the futures of their star players, including Cesar.



"Everything said on the player's future is absolutely premature, there is still nothing concrete," his agent, Josias Cardoso, told Calciomercato.



"Julio wants a team that proves it has a focus on him, but anyone interested in him will have to talk first with QPR, because the contract with the London club expires in 2016.



"In two weeks I should come to Europe to talk with Julio - but back to Brazil? I don't think so. If QPR were to decide to sell Julio Cesar, I still see a European future for him."

Fernandes fumes at QPR flops

Tony Fernandes has launched a scathing attack on QPR players who have taken his money but have failed to keep the club in the Premier League.



QPR's relegation was confirmed on Sunday when they drew 0-0 with Reading, who will join them in the Championship next season.



Despite ploughing millions in to the club to fund the signings of Ji-sung Park, Jose Bosingwa and Chris Samba among others, neither Harry Redknapp nor Mark Hughes could get enough out of a squad that was expected to be challenging for a top-half position this season.



Fernandes, who confirmed on Monday that Redknapp would stay on as manager for the Championship campaign ahead, has bit his tongue all year about the team's poor performances, but let rip at the players who he thinks have let the club down badly.



Bosingwa received the brunt of criticism from fans for smiling and laughing following the final whistle at the Madejski Stadium despite his team's relegation.



"It was probably the low point for me when I saw the reaction of some of the players," Fernandes continued. "It has shocked me because it is something that is alien to me.



"Whatever I have done as a job, for whoever has hired me, I put in 150 per-cent. It's in my character. If I am taking someone else's money, then I am going to work bloody hard for that person.



"It's an alien concept to me that someone takes someone's salary, doesn't put 100 per cent in, thinks: 'Oh, we lost. No big deal. What club are we going to tonight?' That is an alien concept to me.



"It wasn't right to say anything during the season, but I noticed everything and I am a little bit wiser for it now."



He added: "It's heartbreaking for me when we lose. I don't want to go out, I just want to stay at home.



"And I am someone who has dealt with success and dealt with disappointment. But there is nothing I have gone through that is as disappointing as losing a football game.



"I haven't said it throughout the season because it wasn't right to be said, but it hurt me when I saw some of the players who didn't feel the way I felt. And in fact, in their case, it should be worse because this is their job, it's their life. It wasn't a good feeling."

Reading, QPR relegated from EPL after draw

Reading and Queens Park Rangers became the first teams to be relegated from the English Premier League this season after they drew 0-0 on Sunday.



Both teams needed a win to keep a slim hope alive of overtaking 17th-place Aston Villa, but neither side managed to create many clear-cut chances in a game that featured little creativity or entertainment value.



QPR is leaving the top flight after two years, having stayed up on the last day of last season.



"Next year it will be very difficult to get promoted, there are some good teams," QPR manager Harry Redknapp said.



"For us to get promoted we have to come back in preseason and get super fit. The Championship is Saturday, midweek.



"It you are not fit enough you won't survive, you won't get out of that league. The players that are here have to work so hard and want to get super fit to compete next year."



QPR have spent heavily since owner Tony Fernandes' takeover in 2011, and Redknapp is hopeful the Malaysian's investment will still be rewarded.



"I will get to see him this week and we will have some meetings and talk about things going forward, with the team with the players," Redknapp told Sky Sports TV.



"I have said many times they are good people, so I would love to see them get back in the Premier league and build a team that will stay there next time."



Reading is making an instant return to the second tier.



"I have told the players to bottle up the feeling as it is never nice to get relegated, and make sure they never feel that way again," Nigel Adkins, who was hired as Reading manager last month, told the BBC.



"We must now build for the future and learn the lessons well from this season. We have to regroup and put ourselves in a position to challenge to get back into the Premier League. For any new promoted team, it is a challenge to stay up. The Premier League is a ruthless division."



Wigan currently occupies the third spot in the relegation zone, and is two points from safety.

QPR's Park set to retire

Queens Park Rangers midfielder Ji-Sung Park is set to retire from football at the end of next season.

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The 32-year-old has struggled since signing from Manchester United in a £2m deal last summer and is ready to call an end to his career even if QPR avoid relegation from the Premier League.

The South Korean, who signed a two-year contract at Loftus Road, has failed to find the fitness and form that saw him win a Champions League medal and four Premier League titles at Old Trafford.

His father Sung-jong Park said: "Nobody knows the future; maybe he could play one more year with a new team after next season. But I think [Ji-Sung] has made his mind up to retire. He thinks he's played enough.

"He's never had times like this with PSV Eindhoven or Manchester United. My son has had difficult times at QPR this season; it was a new experience to him.



"Ji-sung said it's difficult to keep his feel for the game as his playing time is inconsistent, but he doesn't have any hard feelings."

Cesar likely to miss Villa clash

QPR goalkeeper Julio Cesar is a major doubt for Saturday's Premier League basement battle with Aston Villa at Loftus Road.



New manager Harry Redknapp has revealed that the groin injury that forced the Brazilian off at half-time in their game against Sunderland is expected to keep him out of Redknapp's first home game in charge.



Former England goalkeeper Rob Green, who came on for Ceasr at the Stadium of Light and played his part in denying the Black Cats in the 0-0 draw, looks set to keep his place against fellow early season strugglers Villa.



"Julio looks like he's done a groin," Redknapp told the club's website.



"We'll send him for a scan on Thursday, once the swelling goes down a bit, and see what the extent of the injury is. We're lucky that we've got two top goalkeepers.



"Cesar has won everything there is to win in the game. He's a top goalkeeper. Rob is an England international keeper and made a fantastic save when he came on.



"He didn't have a lot to do apart from that, but when he was called into action he was fantastic."

QPR sack Mark Hughes

QPR have terminated the contract of manager Mark Hughes following a disastrous start to the season.



The 49-year-old Welshman guided the club to Premier League safety after taking over from Neil Warnock in January but has fallen foul of his employers having spent heavily over the summer and failing to secure a win this term.



His dismissal leaves Harry Redknapp, who revealed he was in talks over taking charge of the Ukraine earlier this week, a clear favourite to take the Loftus Road hot seat.



A QPR statement read: "The Board of Directors wish to thank Mark for his commitment, hard work and dedication in his ten months in charge.



"Mark has shown integrity and professionalism throughout his time here, but ultimately the circumstances we find ourselves in have left the Board of Directors with very little choice but to make a change.



"The Board will now be working actively to put a new managerial structure in place as soon as possible.



"Mark Bowen and Eddie Niedzwiecki will take charge of the R's trip to Manchester United in the Barclays Premier League on Saturday afternoon. The club will be making a further announcement in due course."



Hughes' final game in charge was a demoralising 2-1 home defeat to newly-promoted Southampton, who cut their hosts four points adrift at the bottom of the Premier League.

Cissé and wife Jude to divorce after 7 years of marriage

Queen's Park Rangers striker Djibril Cissé and his wife of seven years, Jude are to divorce after seven years of marriage.

The couple quietly separated a few months ago, the French footballer's spokesperson confirmed.

The 31-year-old France player and his estranged Welsh wife, 36, have three children together, and one each from previous relationships.



The football player has been seen hitting the town solo since the split, including celebrating his 31st birthday in August without his estranged wife by his side.

Jude is currently in Los Angeles and has been spending time with her celebrity friends as the story of their divorce breaks.

Djibril Cissé leaves Whisky Mist in London alone on his birthday in August while Jude Cissé, pictured with Natasha Hamilton, attends the  opening of Coast in Manchester.

On October 2, she tweeted she had left her four children in the care of their fathers while she went on holiday: 'Why do we have 2 ask the dads if they can look after their own children!! Yes I'm here, just trying 2 come 2 terms with things.'

In September, she sent a series of cryptic tweets, including: 'What lies behind us & what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.'



Twenty-fours later, she tweeted: 'Remember Without communication there is no relationship; without respect there is no love; without trust there's no reason to continue.

'Without pain, there would be no change. remember, pain just like everything in life, is meant to be learned from & then RELEASED.'

On the same day, her estranged husband wrote on his Twitter: 'Some people have to learn to shut up and look at themself (sic) before talking about others.'

She was spotted at the weekend with The Saturdays' Frankie Sandford, 23, and ex-Hollyoaks star Ricky Whittle, 30, who she counts as one of her best friends.

Djibril and his wife met in a Liverpool nightclub and later wed in 2005 at Bodelwyddan Castle in Wales, with the sports star wearing a Liverpool red tuxedo.





The couple had a lavish £100,000 ceremony which was attended by Queen's Park Rangers player Shaun Wright-Phillips and Cissé's French national teammates Louis Saha and Sylvain Wiltord.



In January 2006, Djibril was cautioned for assaulting Jude at their Cheshire home.

The couple have three sons together Cassius, six; Prince, four; and Marley; two.

Former college lecturer Jude also a teenage son Liam, 18, from a previous relationship, while Djibril is father to daughter Ilona, 11, with an ex-girlfriend.


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Johnson to miss most of season

QPR striker Andrew Johnson will miss the majority of the season after suffering a cruciate ligament injury in Saturday's draw with Chelsea.



The 31-year-old moved to Loftus Road at the start of the summer after failing to agree a new deal at former club Fulham but now looks set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines.



Johnson was replaced by Jamie Mackie during the first half of the stalemate with west London rivals Chelsea and Rangers confirmed this morning that the England international will be out for some time.



A statement on the club's official website read: "R's frontman Andy Johnson is set for a prolonged period on the sidelines after scans revealed the 31 year-old suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury in the goalless draw against Chelsea on Saturday.



"Johnson was forced from the fray in the 33rd minute against Roberto di Matteo's men, and is now likely to be sidelined for the majority of the 2012/13 season."



Johnson has seen the last few years of his career curtailed by injuries and missed a large chunk of the 2009/10 campaign for Fulham after suffering a severe knee injury.



The former Everton forward, who has amassed eight England caps, was only making his second league start for the club and the severity of the injury will come as a blow to manager Mark Hughes who was hopeful after the game that he would be back sooner.



"AJ felt something in his knee. We hope he's going to be okay, but it's a little bit of worry," Hughes told www.qpr.co.uk.



"You need players like AJ in the squad because they give so much. We'll send him for a scan over the next few days and hopefully he'll be okay."



Hughes' side have collected only two points from their opening four Premier League fixtures but the former Manchester City boss believes his new-look squad are starting to gel together nicely.



"Every time we've played, if you take away the Swansea game which none of us saw coming and we were poor on the day, we've picked ourselves up and each game we've got better," he said. "We're getting personnel back who are fit and at the right level so I can use them so as the games come thick and fast the group will get stronger."



QPR face a tough trip to Tottenham next Sunday as they look for their first league victory of the season but Hughes' squad will also have to deal with the loss of two other players injured in the Chelsea stalemate.



On-loan Manchester United youngster Fabio and defender Anton Ferdinand suffered hamstring injuries and the club confirmed both are set to miss at least two weeks.



It means both will be struggling to return in time for Reading's visit to Loftus Road in the Capital One Cup on September 26 and the home game against West Ham five days later.

QPR and Chelsea discuss handshake

It has been reported that QPR and Chelsea are holding talks about the pre-match handshake for this weekend’s west London derby.



The Barclays Premier League have no plans to remove the pre-match handshake despite Saturday’s match being the first meeting between the clubs since John Terry was found not guilty of using a racial slur against the Hoops’ Anton Ferdinand in the corresponding fixture last October.



There was no handshake before their meeting in the FA Cup, while it was done away with when QPR travelled to Stamford Bridge late last season.



Terry, who has yet to go before the Football Association over charges he racially abused Ferdinand, is believed to be on course to make this weekend’s match despite picking up an ankle injury while on international duty with England.



Ferdinand was also considered a doubt for the match due to a shoulder injury but he too is winning his fitness battle and it is likely that both players will take to the field at Loftus Road.



Press Association reports that the two clubs are talking over the best way to approach the situation with an announcement expected on Friday.



Saturday’s match could also feature Ashley Cole who appeared as a character witness for Terry during his criminal trial.

Esteban Granero sign for QPR

QPR have completed the signing of Real Madrid midfielder Esteban Granero for an undisclosed fee.



The 25-year-old midfielder has agreed a four-year contract at Loftus Road after making 60 appearances for Los Blancos. In a statement released by the Barclays Premier League club, R's boss Mark Hughes said: "He is a great player, first and foremost. You don't play at a club like Real Madrid if you're not."



Hughes added: "He has been there from the age of nine, so this has been a huge decision for him. He is very well regarded there and for him to leave a club of that stature to come to us shows the belief he has in what we are trying to do.



"He has got great energy and is technically very gifted, as you would expect from a Real Madrid player. He is very comfortable on the ball and is an all-round excellent midfielder, which we will benefit from."



Granero told qpr.co.uk: "I'm very happy to be here. I love the passion of the English fans and from what I know QPR supporters are amongst the very best. I think QPR will continue to grow as a club and I want to be part of a very bright future here.



"When I spoke to Mark and (technical director) Mike (Rigg), as well as (chairman) Tony (Fernandes), I was convinced that I wanted to be part of this project, which has no limits.



"I am delighted to be part of this exciting chapter in the club's history. Players that have joined before me are as excited as I am about what QPR can become, one of the great teams in England."



Hughes added: "What we are doing at QPR is having an impact on players. It is probably true to say that if we had approached certain players three or four months ago about joining the club, the suggestion wouldn't have been entertained.



"But people now know we are serious and we are trying to do something different here. And that message is out there now which is why we are able to sit in front of quality players and once we are given that opportunity, we feel we have a good story to tell them.



"That's why players are deciding that QPR is a great option."

Hoops close in on Granero

QPR's bid to bring Real Madrid's Esteban Granero to Loftus Road has edged a step closer after they agreed a fee for the midfielder with the Spanish champions.



Acquiring Granero would be a huge coup for the west Londoners, who have been the busiest of all the Barclays Premier League clubs in the summer window. The 25-year-old has impressed on the few chances he has had at the Bernabeu after moving from Getafe in July 2009.



The deal to sign Granero is subject to the player agreeing personal terms and passing a medical.



Should he do so, then he will join the likes of goalkeeper Julio Cesar and midfielders Park Ji-sung and Junior Hoilett in signing for Mark Hughes' men since the end of last season.



Another possible player coming in is Marseille's Cameroon international Stephane Mbia.



Mbia, who can play at centre-half or a defensive midfield role, claims he is close to a move to Rangers after snubbing a switch to Fenerbahce.



Having won Ligue 1 in 2010 and three successive Coupe de la Ligue titles since moving from Rennes, he admits he is leaving with a heavy heart but is relishing his new challenge.



"Marseille is still in my heart," he said. "I won my first titles here. I have chosen Queens Park Rangers despite a last-minute bid from Fenerbahce."



There was no comment from QPR over Mbia when contacted by Press Association Sport.

QPR sign Julio Cesar

Brazil goalkeeper Julio Cesar is to join QPR on a four-year deal, subject to receiving international clearance and being granted a visa.



The 32-year-old has agreed a contract until the summer of 2016, ending his seven-year stint with Inter Milan.



Cesar, who has won 64 caps for his country, told www.qpr.co.uk: "I'm so happy and excited to be here.



"The ambition of this club was presented to me by the chairman and the coach and I couldn't have been more impressed.



"The desire to achieve things at this club is clear for everyone to see and I wanted to be part of that. I have come here to compete for the shirt and give my all."



Cesar, who won the Champions League and five Serie A titles with Inter, was spotted yesterday at Loftus Road, where he was discussing terms ahead of Rangers' 3-0 Capital One Cup second-round victory over Walsall.



Manager Mark Hughes was thrilled to add a goalkeeper of Cesar's quality to his squad.



"It's fantastic that we've been able to attract a keeper of such outstanding ability to the club," the Welshman said on www.qpr.co.uk.



"When the opportunity to sign a player of his quality presents itself, you have to act quickly and we've managed to get the deal done.



"It was always my intention to bring two goalkeepers to the club this summer and now we've got fantastic competition in that department."



Hughes added: "He's an outstanding individual, as well as being an outstanding player.



"Not only will we benefit from his ability, but we'll also benefit from his experience and winning mentality."



Cesar, who will wear the number 33 shirt, is likely to be in contention for the club's next home game against Chelsea - after the international break - on September 15.



And the South American cannot wait to get started, adding: "The English Premier League is the best division in the world.



"Everyone wants to play here and I am no different. Now I just want to give my all to the club and show the fans what I am capable of.



"This is a really exciting move for me and I can't wait to get going."

Barton desperate to leave QPR

QPR midfielder Joey Barton admits that it is best for him to leave the club after arriving in Marseille for negotiations over a season-long loan.



The 29-year-old has been banished to the reserves after receiving a 12-match ban for being sent off in the final Premier League match of last season against Manchester City.



And with manager Mark Hughes having made it clear the former England international has no future at Loftus Road, Barton admitted his disappointment at the way he has been treated.



"It's not great position for me to be in as a professional when you feel unwanted, unloved and you haven't got a shared number never mind a locker at the training ground," he told Sky Sports News.



"It's not an ideal scenario and I don't want to play it out that way. Hopefully there's some compromise.



"Things don't always work out. This is football. This is the unpretty side that not a lot of people get to see.



"Sometimes people level a number of things at footballers, but there's not many other jobs where the industry is so volatile and you can go from being captain of the club, given thousands of promises when a club want to sign you, to all of a sudden when your face doesn't fit or when someone decides they don't want you.



"Sometimes from your own stupidity. All of a sudden you've got to relocate your family and you're deemed not part of what it is."



Barton tweeted a picture of himself on his way to France on Wednesday morning as he bids to seal a move away from west London.



The deal had appeared to be off on Tuesday when Barton revealed on Twitter he was 'heartbroken' and feared he would once again be forced to train with the reserves.



But before departing for talks, the former Manchester City and Newcastle United player seemed optimistic about his chances of moving to Marseille.



"I'm going there with an open mind. I'll speak to Marseille and see what it's about," he said.



"I really want to join there, it's a club that will suit me, it appeals to me for the sheer size of it.



"It's not going exactly to plan at QPR, it's a difference of opinion. Hopefully we can find a compromise - the alternative, I think, is that I go."



Barton has trained with League Two side Fleetwood Town this summer after being told he has no future at Loftus Road, and the controversial former England international admits it is in his interests to move on.



"I'm not really part of it," he said of the dispute between himself and QPR.



"I've got the best union in the world protecting me and I'm well within my rights to sit for the next three years and pick my money up, but that isn't me.



"I just have to approach it short term with the view that the best scenario, certainly for me personally, and I think for QPR and probably Mark Hughes, is that I'm out of his hair for a little bit.



"It's not good, I don't think any manager wants a player at the training ground that he doesn't want there."

Barton: Marseille move off

Queens Park Rangers midfielder Joey Barton does not now expect his proposed move from the Premier League to Marseille to go ahead.



Barton, 29, looked set to join Ligue 1 club Marseille after reports gathered momentum he could be released from his contract at QPR.



The one-time England international is serving a 12-match ban following his actions in the final game of last season versus Manchester City, and he has not been given a squad number by QPR.



However, on Tuesday, Barton wrote on his Twitter account: "Been forced to go back training with the kids and fellow Taliban members at 2pm today.



"Doesn't look like this Marseille thing is gonna happen now. 'Whatever doesn't kill you make you stronger' #heartbroken



"Why can't things just be simple...Maybe this is time to dumb down and be dishonest. It seems to take you a long way in this game."



Barton signed for QPR from Newcastle last summer and made 31 Premier League appearances for the club following the switch.