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Calmer days at the Super Hoops

The finances of Queens Park Rangers have had something of an Alice in Wonderland quality to them in recent years with sums of money apparently appearing and disappearing at a whim. However, Kieran Maguire has taken a close look at the latest accounts and it now appears that some stability has been restored, although the question of a £40m financial fair play (FFP) bill remains unresolved: Boys Don't Cry

QPR have argued that FFP is illegal (which I think it could be under competition law, but I am no lawyer). The Football League insists that clubs who want to play in its competition have to abide by the rules (although whether one can have rules that violate national or European law is a moot point).

Maguire sums up: 'QPR have done well in 2016/17 to get their house in order. The final league position reflects the cost cutting at the club, which has continued this year. It looks as if the largesse of the past has been replaced with a more cautious approach to managing the club’s finances. Fans must hope that the owners don’t get bored of being mid table in the Championship and lose all interest in the club.' [It must be a bit tiresome for the fans].

'Until the FFP issue is resolved the club will not look an attractive investment proposition to new potential owners. Crystal Palace have shown that there is space for a small London club to survive and make money in the Premier League, so there will be potential new owners/investors perhaps thinking the same about QPR.' [However, Palace could be relegated, although they have ambitious plans to expand the ground. That would not be possible at Loftus Road, but plans for a move elsewhere have been shelved].

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