FA to probe brawl

The Football Association are investigating QPR’s match with China’s Under-23 team yesterday, which was abandoned following a mass brawl.

China player Zheng Tao was knocked unconscious and taken to Hillingdon hospital in west London with a suspected broken jaw after the fighting had caused referee Dermot Gallagher to call a halt to the match during the second half.

Police were called to the incident and did not make any arrests, although the investigation is ongoing.

An FA spokesman told PA Sport: “We are investigating and we will be seeking information from Dermot Gallagher.”

The unusual circumstances of the game – it was not an official match and took place at QPR’s training ground in Harlington, west London – means it could be difficult for the FA to act.

Although Gallagher took charge of the game, he was not appointed by the FA as the match was not a competitive one.

A statement on QPR’s official website, www.qpr.co.uk, read: “QPR can confirm that an incident occurred at our Harlington training ground yesterday, during the game against China’s Under-23 squad.

“The club abhor violence of any sort and do not condone the actions taken by anyone involved.

“QPR will make no further statement while an internal investigation is conducted.”

PA Sport contacted Rangers midfielder Jimmy Smith, who played in the match, but he declined to comment on the events.

China coach Ratomir Dujkovic was quoted on Sky Sports News as saying: “I did not see how everything began.

“I was watching the ball, then I saw they were fighting. It is very bad, and not acceptable, of course.

“Whether the local guys (QPR) or our guys began it is not important. It is unacceptable.”

Meanwhile, Rangers chairman Gianni Paladini told the BBC: “We will conduct our own internal investigation into this matter.

“If any of our players are guilty of any wrongdoing then they will be dealt with accordingly.

“At this point in time, however, I really can’t say any more than that. We are looking into what happened.”

The Chinese team are in England for two weeks, based at Chelsea’s training complex at Cobham, Surrey, as they prepare for next year’s Olympic Games in Beijing.