EZE’S QPR INVITATION ANGERS PALACE

CRYSTAL PALACE are fuming with QPR for allowing Eberechi Eze to return and watch his old club play despite the strict current coronavirus restrictions. Eze, who has accepted he made an ‘error of judgement’ by going, is facing punishment by Palace for his trip to the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium to see Rangers’ FA Cup tie against Fulham which has left him at the centre of a Covid-19 breach storm.

But Palace’s displeasure is also directed at their London rivals whose manager Mark Warburton also admitted they had made a mistake by letting Eze into Saturday’s clash. Eze, who left QPR last summer, was a guest of his former side but his current one were angry he was granted access in the current climate without their consent. They were also concerned about how guidelines were enforced in QPR’s directors box given Eze was pictured at times not wearing a mask. In a statement which hinted at their fury, Palace said: ‘Whilst we recognize Eberechi’s desire to support his former team mates, he accepts it was an error of judgement to attend the match. ‘We were also concerned to see pictures of Eberechi not wearing a mask at certain moments and are speaking to him about these apparent lapses, which will be dealt with internally.’ The FA denied initial suggestions they gave the green light for Eze to attend and are looking into the incident. Their probe could lead to action being taken against the player or either club if they determine that their protocols have been breached.