Les Ferdinand wants key QPR figures such as Tony Fernandes and Joey Barton to stop courting controversy on Twitter – but the chairman has refused to change his ways.
Former Rangers star Ferdinand has sought to change the culture of the club since returning in October.
The director of football is particularly unhappy with the constant furore surrounding the likes of Fernandes and midfielder Barton, believing their social media activity can have a negative impact.
“I disagree with Les on that. We’re not going to agree on everything.”
Tony Fernandes
Ferdinand hopes to amend QPR’s disciplinary code this summer, making players aware they risk being sanctioned for bringing the club into disrepute if they step out of line with their comments.
But Fernandes isn’t playing ball – and the AirAsia boss cites his use of social media in the aftermath of one of the airline’s planes crashing in December as an example of the benefits of him being on Twitter.
“I think he [Ferdinand] would love me not to be on Twitter. But I’m not going to change that,” Fernandes said.
“There are mistakes I’ve made on it and some things rile me – when I see some of the negativity it winds you up and you say the wrong thing and regret saying it.
“But look, if I didn’t have Twitter I wouldn’t have reacted the way I did with AirAsia. It helped me tremendously to mediate with families and my staff.
“So I disagree with Les on that. We’re not going to agree on everything.
“I’m a freedom of speech man. I haven’t told Joey Barton to keep quiet – it’s what their [some players’] make-up is.
“But I do think you have to draw lines on some things. There are limits.”
And Fernandes insists he has no regrets about an infamous recent tweet claiming to have found his ‘dream manager’.
His comment followed an approach to Paul Clement, the Real Madrid assistant boss who is the choice of many Rangers fans to become manager at Loftus Road and could take over in the summer.
Fernandes said: “I’d rather have an open and transparent culture than a closed culture.
“I’d rather say to the fans that I’ve found a dream manager. They’re like shareholders in the club and they deserve to know.”
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This post was last modified on 27/02/2015
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Well said there, SupaSarge. Very well indeed. Many have moaned and moaned with their faces in their hands. Doom this and Doom that. But the thing is, the way it is going now, some time down the road, you Rs will remember this era rather fondly. As badly as some things have gone down, one must also admit that QPR have been luckier than some may think they deserve to be. Really.
Look up. Smile. Misery is tiresome, folks.
Tony and Les, what a pair. Infectious smiles.
Here's the thing: QPR already have their 'dream team'. Les Ferdinand is already a legend at Loftus Road. Tony Fernandes is slowly becoming one: he carefully steered the club out of the tumultuous era of Bravatore and Egglesstone that near ruined the place, Fernandez has the rare blend of humility, dignity, humanity and transparency all in one. We couldn't be more fortunate than to have him at the helm and few owner deserve success in the game more than him.