JIMMY’S IN CLEAR SAY QPR AFTER PROBE
QPR have shown their support for manager Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink by clearing the 44-year-old of any wrongdoing after he was last month implicated in alleged corruption. The Daily Telegraph alleged the Dutchman requested a fee of £55,000 to make a speech to a fake Far Eastern firm seeking to sell players to the club.
Hasselbaink was filmed by undercover reporters in a similar way to former England boss Sam Allardyce – who left his post in the aftermath – as the paper investigated corruption in football.
The former Leeds United, Charlton Athletic and Cardiff City striker has been in charge at Loftus Road since December 2015.
He was filmed asking reporters to “come up with a nice figure” for the fictitious role, which he was told would involve a number of trips to Singapore to meet the firm.
However, the Telegraph has been unable to comply with QPR’s request to view all the unedited footage as the material gathered is currently in the hands of the police.
And, while QPR have reminded 44-year-old Hasselbaink of his responsibilities, they have backed their manager.
“Throughout the comprehensive investigation, the club contacted and communicated with all the major parties involved, including the Telegraph, who failed to provide the club with the information requested,” the club said in a statement.
“Despite a number of requests from the club and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink’s legal team for the information relating to the inferences made on September 28, including video footage and a full transcript of the discussions that took place, nothing has been forthcoming.
“Jimmy openly admitted he was naive and, as such, has been reminded of his roles and responsibilities.”