AirAsia chief to buy QPR?

KUALA LUMPUR: AirAsia chief executive officer Tan Sri Tony Fernandes
is plotting a £100 million (RM486 million) move to buy English club Queens Park Rangers (QPR).

British tabloid DailyMail yesterday reported themulti-millionaire businessman, who is teamprincipal for Formula One outfitTeamLotus, is confident of striking a deal to take control of the English Premier League club.


Fernandes, 47, had visited Loftus Road and talked to manager Neil Warnock about transfer funds as Rangers plan for its return to the top flight.


QPR co-owner Bernie Ecclestone has said £100million would be enough to take over the west London club.

Ecclestone holds a 62 per cent share and although business partner Flavio Briatore has an option to buy the shares if the former decides to sell, it is believed the pair have given Fernandes the go-ahead.


The club’s other shareholder, steel tycoon LakshmiMittal, failed to secure Ecclestone’s shares after refusing to meet the asking price.


A QPR statement confirmed “preliminary discussions” had taken place over the sale.

West Hamfan Fernandes lost out to David Gold and David Sullivan in his bid to buy the Hammers in January last year but claimed earlier this year that he was still looking to invest in the club.


Fernandes,when contacted, declined to comment.