QPR1st welcomes the club’s statement that it takes historical child abuse allegations made against a former employee very seriously and that it will cooperate fully in any forthcoming investigation. It is also appreciated that the club now has robust recruitment procedures and safeguarding polices in place.

It is not clear what exactly the Club knew about Gieler’s activities. Gieler was not charged let alone convicted of child sex abuse. Accounts suggest that incidents occurred when no other adults were present and the boys themselves did not report what was going on. It can be argued that Gieler should have been more closely supervised but no evidence has been so far presented that the Club was involved in any kind of cover-up or  that it attempted to pay off or intimidate any victims that came forth.

Nevertheless the media is clearly suggesting that the Club did  know by implying that this was why he was sacked. The club is quite rightly being circumspect about what information it releases into the public domain. Nevertheless if Club records indicate that he was sacked for an unrelated reason, then it is in the Club’s interest to make this known.

We would ask the club to be proactive in contacting  former youth players  to advise  them about what support is available from appropriate services if they were victims of sex abuse. We would also urge the FA to complete its investigation into an issue that is casting such a dark shadow over the game as a matter of urgency.

QPR1st

QPR1st Supporters’ Trust welcomes Ian Holloway back to Loftus Road.  He has made huge contributions to the club in the past and we wish him the best of fortune on his return. 

We know he will work had for the club, and we feel sure all supporters will get behind Ian and the team. We hope the club gives Ian the time needed to turn things round on the pitch.

Sadly, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink’s time at QPR did not see an entertaining, passing football at either Loftus Road or away from home. We wish him well for the future. We trust that likely replacements for JFH have already been identified by the club and that the new manager will be someone able to get the best from the squad; we don’t expect miracles, but we do expect hard-working players, team spirit, and a clear style of play that supporters can really get behind.

Well done QPR. It makes us proud that the club should work with the local council to offer help to people in great need. Life isn’t just about what happens on the pitch; there’s a world out there and people who need help.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/nov/01/qpr-gives-fleet-of-coaches-to-bring-child-refugees-from-calais