QPR ISSUES

Paladini on QPR OFFICIAL SITE

PALADINI ON CHANGES - August 2005
Gianni Paladini on Boardroom changes, his relationship with Ollie 'the legend' and more.
Enjoy a free video interview in which the Rangers director reflects on an eventful month and discusses a whole range of topics.
Listen to Paladini on Bill Power, Mark Devlin,squad strengthening and what his wife thinks about his 'relationship' with Ian Holloway!
An edited transcript of ths interview will appear in Tuesday evening's matchday programme.
http://www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10373~711205,00.html


A Poster's report on QPR.org on What Paladini Said on QPR Official site

The board - It didn't just happen on the day, we all had 21 days notice. We did say what we wanted to do to take the club forward. We just did the things we planned to do.Bill Power - We are still friends, even stronger than before, our positions have swapped round, he is still a director.Mark Devlin - His position has become redundant. We can do his job between ourselves.Chairman - I will become the new chairman at next board meeting. Already approved by Bill, Kevin and the Monte Carlo people.New players - Many new players have come in since I started here, mostly free transfers. Evatt and Doherty we spent some money on, I see them as investments, they are only young. We have 5 strikers, I hope they can get fit and show us what they can do. Richard Langley is on much less money than he was at Cardiff.Ian Holloway - My wife is jealous that I spend too much time praising Ollie. He is a legend at this club. He must be a dream manager for a chairman or owner of a football club to have.Loftus Road - The ground does not belong to me or the directors. Loftus Road is popular all over the road, it is a special place to play football. We are only passengers here, it's like getting on a bus, one day we will get off but the fans will still be on it. My job is to guarantee that QPR will always have it's own football ground - no secret agenda. QPR belongs to QPR and always will.ABC loan - In the next two weeks hope to have some news. We've been all over Europe to find someone who could replace the ABC loan. It was an unbelievable deal that was done. We are talking to very very serious people, good people, a bank, one that everyone will have heard of in England. If we can guarantee to them that we can take this club forward we've got a very good chance to finally replace the ABC loan. http://www.qpr.org/forum/viewtopic.php?topic_view=threads&p=107400&t=33583


The August "Incident" at Loftus Road
Midland Independent Newspapers plc Birmingham Evening MailAugust 15, 2005, Monday
GUN FEAR BOSS HAS CITY HOME; QPR DIRECTOR RECOVERINGBY PATRICE JOHNORDEAL: Gianni PaladiniTHE Queens Park Rangers football club director who was allegedly held at gunpoint while his team played lives in a luxury home at Solihull, it emerged today.As four men were set to appear in court in connection with the attack, Gianni Paladini was understood to be recovering from his ordeal at his detached home. Armed police arrested 11 men near QPR's Loftus Road ground, in west London, on Saturday after Italian-born Mr Paladini said he had been bundled into an office at the stadium and held at gunpoint before the team's 2-1win over Sheffield United. The former football agent, who lives in Blossomfield Road, Solihull, bought his stake in the club last May and has become an influential figure there.But there has been bad feeling among fans and investors over the way the club has been run.A close friend of Mr Paladini said today that the 59-year-old was "upset but OK" after the incident.The friend, who works at the Dacorrado restaurant, in Stratford Road, Shirley, would only give his name as Pasquale, but said he had known Mr Paladini for more than 25 years.The pair first met when they both worked at the Abigail's nightclub, in Birmingham.Pasquale, who lives in Redditch, said: "Obviously he is upset. I spoke to him on the mobile and although he seemed OK he still sounded worried."It was very hard what he went through. It was very scary. He was on his own. You don't know what kind of people they are."But Gianni would have no thoughts of being involved in anything like this. He adores his children and grandchildren." Metropolitan Police spokeswoman said four men, David Davenport, 37, from Buckinghamshire, Michael Reynolds, 44, from north London, Andrew Baker, 39, from Somerset, and David Morris, 49, of Buckinghamshire, had been charged with conspiracy to commit blackmail and joint possession of a firearm with intent to commit grievous bodily harm. They were set to appear at West London Magistrates CourtAugust 16, 2005http://www6.lexisnexis.com/publisher/EndUser?Action=UserDisplayFullDocument&orgId=2305&topicId=100007155&docId=l:304009550&start=8

...From a couple of years ago?
FSC Investments - http://www.fscinvestments.co.uk/"[site]was last updated Wednesday 17th September 2003"Specialist ServicesInheritance Tax Planning ServiceMany people now realise that the current level of nil rate band of £263,000 for inheritance tax is so low that once the value of their property and possessions is valued they are likely to leave their families with a tax bill when they die.Our IHT Planning Service helps people plan their financial arrangements in such a way that this nasty and vindictive tax can in most cases either be avoided or at worst reduced.Investment Portfolio Advice ServiceIn the modern investment market, things can get very complicated, you don't always keep on top of the paperwork as well as you should. As a result you may not always be receiving the sort of returns you want from your investments.Our Investment Portfolio Advice Service is designed to take away all the heartache of trying to keep abreast of the developments and changes in the investment market, we will help you chose the right contract and the right funds at the right time and make sure you are getting the best tax treatment on your overall portfolio. Remember that the value of investments can go down as well as up. They don't need your help to make them worse!Personal Equity Plan Portfolio Evaluation and ManagementHow many times have you said "this old PEP we bought isn't performing well I will need to see someone about it", well now is your chance. We will help you regularly review your portfolio and where you have invested in a fund that is past its sell by date we will inform you of your options.Professional Football Player and Sportsperson Financial Planning ServiceProfessional sportsmen and women are some of our highest paid earners, but if they are not careful with their money the end of their career can come all too soon. Injury is just one of the pitfalls awaiting a highly competitive sportsperson, we all want to be winners and if you have had a career full of success you will want your financial life to be a success as well. We have specialist knowledge of the market as we have professional introducers like Mel Eves - England International, ex-Wolverhampton Wanderers and West Bromwich Albion, Gianni Paladini - FIFA Players Agent - ex-Juventus and Italy, Tony Daly - England International, ex- Aston Villa and Wolverhampton Wanderers. http://www.fscinvestments.co.uk/specialist.html


Past Articles concerning Paladini

The Sentinel (Stoke) December 30, 2003
Anger From Paladini After Increased BidGianni Paladini has accused the Port Vale board of being "unprofessional" in their handling of negotiations to sell the club. Speaking minutes after learning his bid had been rejected, the Italian football agent said he was close to tears, having arrived at Vale Park yesterday morning believing he was set to finalise a deal.He said he was shocked by the last-minute arrival of successful bidder Peter Jackson and was so desperate to take control of the club he upped his offer during six hours of talks, although he refused to discuss the terms he put to the board. Mr Paladini started the day as the firm favourite to become the club's new owner after tabling a £530,000 bid for 53 per cent of Vale's shares, with a £150,000 loan offered as an immediate payment to solve the pressing financial crisis.He said: "I feel very let down and emotional. Why did I come here to sign a contract to find they (the board) had someone else there? "We didn't expect another offer. It's very unprofessional."I'm very disappointed and I feel like crying. We put in a bid, we increased the bid."At one point we thought we had done the deal and I'm just in shock that they've accepted the other offer."I have had people come all the way from London and Manchester because we all wanted to do a deal."I don't understand why the board has made this decision and I'm baffled by it. I'm very disillusioned."At one point I was prepared to take the club the way it is without making any checks, I was that committed to it, but I was advised against that by my solicitors." Mr Paladini insisted he will remain a Port Vale fan and will be there should the club need him in the future.And he said he hopes Stone-based businessman Mr Jackson will match his ambitious plans for the club and bring success back to Vale Park.He said: "I had players in mind to bring over - international players. I was thinking big-time for Port Vale and I hope the people who come in now have better ideas."I'm still available for Port Vale and I will still follow the club. If I can do anything for the club I will. If they need me in future I'm ready." Mr Paladini declined to identify the big-name players, although national press had strongly linked former Italian international striker Fabrizio Ravanelli with the club.The Sentinel (Stoke) December 27, 2003Paladini Has Grand Plans For A Bright Vale Future:Prospective Port Vale owner Gianni Paladini has announced ambitious plans to lift the club up the Football League ladder. The Italian football agent - who witnessed Vale's thrilling 3-2 win at Sheffield Wednesday yesterday - revealed his plans included signing a former international and finishing the Lorne Street Stand.Paladini, who is waiting for acceptance of his offer from the board meeting on Monday, would initially purchase £150,000 worth of shares to take the club out of immediate financial trouble. He would then get an option to purchase the remaining £380,000 worth of shares to gain a controlling interest in Port Vale.He said: "I am fully committed to Port Vale now."This is not something that has happened overnight. Everybody thinks I am crazy, but only a crazy man invests money and doesn't take it seriously."For me to say we will be in the Premier League in two years is crazy, but if we are there, then why not? It depends what we do this year, if we get lucky and have a good run."Our first thing will be to finish off the stand because it is like a punch in the eye, the way it is now."We then want to start filling the stadium to capacity by bringing in exciting people and big names." Paladini is already hoping to bring a former international to Vale Park and suggested there may be more on the way. He said: "I will have to speak of new players with the manager at first, but I don't think he will say no to the type of player I have in mind."I am hoping to bring a player to watch the first home game in the New Year. He won't be able to play because it will be too early. He played at international level until last year and he is the sort of player we need to bring to the club.Meanwhile, Vale director Charles Machin welcomed the Italian's influence and admitted he hoped a deal could be struck soon.Machin said: "I have drafted an agreement which I think is fair all round and Gianni is happy with that. If it is accepted by the club then, from Tuesday, we will be financially safe."I realise the fans will not have a controlling interest then, but they will have a very big minority interest at 46 per cent, along with four seats on the board. Hopefully it will be good news for the fans in the New Year."


DAILY MAIL - December 29, 2001
Revolution at Northampton as agents try to buy clubNeil MoxleySTRUGGLING Second Division side Northampton Town are at the centre of revolutionary takeover plans that would see agents taking the final steps towards football club ownership.Northampton were put up for sale at the end of October and have attracted interest from a number of intermediaries within the game, anxious to use the club as a showcase for the talent on their books. Leicester City midfielder Dennis Wise is already being touted as the club's new player-coach. His former Wimbledon Crazy Gang pal John Fashanu, head of a consortium called Winners Worldwide, has initiated talks with the club, and prominent Birmingham-based agent Gianni Paladini is also expected to resurrect his interest.The pair are among a number of parties who have come forward after the board of directors decided to sell the club. Ownership lies in the hands of local businessmen, who believe that they do not have the necessary finance to take the club forward.As it stands, with debts believed to be between GBP 300,000 and GBP 500,000, the club is not an unattractive proposition, despite its current position at the foot of the division, with the main attraction being its Sixfields stadium.Talks will take place in the new year between Northampton's new chief executive Gary Hodder and the local council over whether the 7,500-capacity ground, built seven years ago as a project for the community, can be sold. So far, the signs are that the council will cave in to public demand as it benefits all parties concerned.A poll on the club's website matched one in the local newspaper with more than 80 per cent in favour of the sale. As maintaining the stadium costs the Northampton ratepayer an estimated GBP 400,000 a year, the authority is likely to view it as a valuable long-term saving.The club and prospective buyers would, in return, receive a stadium at around half its current GBP 6m value. Northampton would also be rid of their current commitment of having to hand 30 per cent of their takings back to the local authority.It would give the agents free rein to place outofcontract talent in a club they own, especially as Northampton have nine players out of deals at the end of this season.Fashanu, who attended the side's 1-0 win over Bournemouth a fortnight ago, said:'We have to get the stadium. We wouldn't take a lease and if we come in, it's all or nothing 'That's because we believe we have the finances, the contacts internationally and what is necessary to make Northampton a big club. We are just waiting for the council to tell us whether our offer for the stadium has been accepted.' A club spokesman said: 'If the council do agree to sell - and it has to be said that they have been willing to take the club's view into consideration at all times - then it would be a massive attraction for any buyer.


Midland Independent Newspapers plc Sports ArgusFebruary 5, 2000, Saturday: STUDMARKS: ATHLETE REACHES THE PEAKBODY:Jon Ridgeon, 1987 world hurdles silver medalist and now in athletics promotion, reckons he was the highest person in the world on January 1, 2000, and he wasn't talking of illegal substances.Ridgeon was standing on Anapurna's peak as the millennium turned. Anapurna is in Argentina and reaches 23,000ft. It was top rock because the Himalayas are closed to climbers at this time. Some people will do anything to be one up. Agent's success is no secretWest Brom should award the freedom of The Hawthorns to Gianni Paladini, the man behind the Enzo Maresca deal.Agents are often, and with some cause, reviled by football officials. Paladini, though, was instrumental in taking the young Italian to The Hawthorns on a free transfer and advised him to accept a wage of about pounds 1,000-a-week while he learned his trade, English-style.Then he opened the way to the midfielder's pounds 4.3million sale to Juventus.Brian Little will be given about pounds 3million of this sum to buy players capable of reversing the team's alarming slump.This news has been greeted as if it is a breakthrough in accountancy and team -planning, so I wonder if I am alone in questioning the rationale of selling two outstanding young players - Maresca and Kevin Kilbane for pounds 2.2million - in the interests of progress.


COMPLIANTLittle may buy very well and Albion soar to safety. I pray it will be so. But any Throstle compliant about the club selling their best players again, must have the brains of a bird.They should know that the pounds 6million was obtained not so much to ease the life of Brian but to please the bailiffs of the bank.The new chairman, Paul Thompson, says he has no plans to put more of his money into the club and his fellow-directors are remaining schtum about any new contributions towards financing the pounds 30,000-a-week losses.Thompson had better have some far-reaching plans to salvage the position or half of that pounds 6.5million is going to be fool's gold and drain away.The gamble is that Little can work wonders with the other half.And in my never-ending quest to be of assistance to Thompson and his close friends Slippery Joe and Whispering John, here's a suggestion. Why not invite Gianni Paladini on to the board because he knows more than any of you about turning a few bucks in football?Heptathlete Clova Court, from Dudley, pictured, claimed the record for drug -testing last season with eight samplings.Last Sunday at the NIA, she came third in the 60m hurdles and guess what? They tested her again.God save our English cricket1999 Midland Independent Newspapers plc Birmingham Evening MailOctober 23, 1999, Saturday:


SOCCER STAR 'KIDNAP' DRAMA EXCLUSIVE BY LEON HICKMAN; BIZARRE INCIDENT AT SOLIHULL HOTELBODY:TEENAGE Italian soccer international Marco Russo claimed today that he was "kidnapped" from Birmingham as agents battled to sign him for an English club.Marco, aged 17, already valued at more than pounds 1 million, was staying in a Solihull hotel while on trial with the Blues when the alleged incident took place.He said an agent tricked him into packing his bags and travelling up the M6 for a trial with Manchester City. "I was told that it had been authorised by my legal agent," said the under-16 World Cup forward."I did not suspect anything. I left the hotel and trained in Manchester. Then the man who is looking after me in England, Gianni Paladini, and his son came searching for me at the hotel because I hadn't turned up at training for Birmingham."He added, through an interpreter: "They contacted me and brought me back to Solihull. I was very anxious but now I am okay."BewilderedMr Paladini also claimed that Marco, who comes from the small town of Cariati in southern Italy, had twice been the subject of fake contract attempts.He said: "I have the mandate for negotiations in England."The lad is bewildered that all this is happening around him. He just wants to be a footballer."Mr Paladini is now waiting to see whether the Blues offer him a contract - and so are no fewer than six different agents, all of whom have been jostling to represent him.Marco is currently on the books of Seria A club Regina, but because they have not contracted him he is free to join any other club in an EEC country.Details of Marco's case will cause concern for FIFA, the game's world governing body, as it highlights serious abuses by agents who have discovered a lucrative traffic in young footballers across national boundaries.David Gold, chairman of Birmingham City, said: "This sounds appalling and I am going to make immediate inquiries."It might be different if he were a 25-year-old with experience of dealings, but for a boy of 17 it must be a terrible. The football world is already very concerned about agents playing an increasing part in the game. "Some of these people are just desperate to get their hands on money, and the sums can be significant."At least if he joins us he will be extremely well treated. We have an excellent management team who are totally committed to young players."Marco added: "I still want to be a player in England and I think I will hear form Birmingham very soon. This is an adventure for me although it did go a little bit wrong."GRAPHIC: IN DEMAND: 17-year-old Marco Russo says he was tricked by soccer agents bidding to sign him up Picture: ALAN WILLIAMSLOAD-DATE: October 26, 1999Midland Independent Newspapers plc Sports ArgusAugust 8, 1998, Saturday:


A POT CALLING THE KETTLE BLACKBODY:Former national director of coaching Malcolm Arnold rang BBC Five Live to offer his contribution to the debate on Roger Black's omission from the British 400m trio at the European championships."The man's a whinger" was a rough translation of what he said.Is this the same chap who walked out of his job at the time of athletics' greatest need for a sinecure job at Bath University? Yes, indeed.And the national director who professed not to know anything about it when Colin Jackson, whom he coaches, did a runner on the AAA championships two years ago to compete in Italy? Yes, the same bloke. Arnold's attack on Black (pictured) was particularly contemptible because Black has been careful to retain his dignity while, not surprisingly, expressing his disgust that he wasn't given a further chance to prove himself.

WHY THIS JUST ISN'T DWIGHTMONEY TALKS: Alex Ferguson (left) has pressed for Dwight Yorke's signatureNo-one appears to have noticed that Manchester United's initial approaches for Dwight Yorke breached the Premier League rulebook.Specifically, the rule says that no club shall approach a player directly or indirectly if that player is on another club's books.Well before United made their pounds 8million bid for the brilliant Tobagan, manager Alex Ferguson publicly announced Yorke was a target.And if this doesn't amount to an illegal approach, then kerb crawling should be given a good name.No attempt has been made by Villa to stem the Scot's provoking words, which continued this week even though Villa manager John Gregory has spurned their offer as derisory.Why is this? Do Villa fear the power of United and the voice of their manager? Or is there another agenda? - that Villa are willing listeners and money in the end will talk.I exclude Gregory from such considerations. He wants to keep Yorke forever and, if that is impossible, for at least one year of the two remaining on his contract.The club have made a huge personal offer to Yorke to sign an extension, some reports say as high as pounds 30,000-a-week. He has refused and it is his right to do so.While United continue to nudge-nudge, wink-wink him, he must find it very difficult to settle down and concentrate on the season ahead which, it so happens, is Villa's right for the next two seasons.AUCTIONUntil Doug Ellis categorically tells Ferguson what to do with the money, this long and wounding auction will continue.The aln-one chairman, chief executive and director of football may say he will be acting jointly with Gregory but by my count he holds at least three votes to Gregory's one.So far he's said nothing which, to Villa fans, is an ominous sign. If he finally succumbs to United's bluster-and-bully game without a big signing to compensate, Doug's name will be dung and the chances of a good season vastly diminshed.Gianni takes Cesare titleYou may believe that Cesare Maldini, manager during the World Cup, is Italy's most unpopular football figure but he does have competition.Placing Birmingham-based FIFA agent Gianni Paladini among such hate targets may appear far-fetched but take it from me when Italian clubs are throwing rocks they are in the affable Paladini's direction.Paladini's sin was to pounce on a group of outstanding young players about to turn fully professional and persuade them that they would be better served by English football, both in the development of careers and financially.No doubt it also helps pay for the agent's designer suits and cool shades. But what the heck, he says, that's business.UNDERSTANDWhich is why he is the link between Fabio Ferreresi, on a free transfer from Cesena to Villa, Enzo Maresca, free from Cagliari to Albion, and Francesco Senetti, free from Genoa to Sheffield Wednesday.I can understand why the Italians should protest at this looting of young talent. Genoa were so angry they delayed giving Senetti clearance and Cagliari have reacted in the same way.But for years Serie A pirated players from all over the world with the promise of riches and I rather relish the idea that a poacher has entered their back yard and filled his bag with their young chickens.


Sunday Mirror November 17, 1996, Sunday: WE'LL SUE EMO'S MOB!;THEY TRIED TO SELL HIM BEHIND OUR BACKS;MIDDLESBROUGH SET TO SUE ADVISORS REPRESENTING EMERSON AND JUNINHOBYLINE: Brian McnallyBODY:Middlesbrough last night threatened legal action against advisors representing Brazilians Emerson and Juninho.A secret meeting took place in Italy last week between Boro chief executive Keith Lamb and Emerson's Portuguese agent Jose De Silva Vega which secured rebel Emerson's return yesterday.But only after Vega was warned that Boro will use the full might of the law not only against the players to ensure they stick to their contracts - but also against their agents. Yet Boro, undaunted by the Emerson saga, have shown their faith in foreign imports by making a pounds 3 million bid for Barcelona central defender Miguel Angel Nadal - "The Beast" - also a target for Leeds and Manchester United.Emerson, who initially insisted he was quitting England, was whisked away from Heathrow yesterday on his return from Rio.He was given a chilling ultimatum - and almost certainly a pounds 20,000 fine - by Boro's top brass: "Honour your contract - or you will rot in our reserves or on a beach in Brazil. We are prepared to put you out of the game for life."Emerson was met at Terminal Three by interpreter Pino Palliari who responded to questions about his future in the game with a quip: "Well he's not here to ski! He has a four year contract."He is suspended for tomorrow's game at Derby. He'll be meeting Bryan Robson as soon as possible - I think later this evening."Dynamic Boro chairman Steve Gibson, who has ploughed pounds 25 million into transfers, is seething afterdiscovering Emerson and Juninho were BOTH offered to Italian clubs Parma and Roma without the knowledge of anyone at the Riverside.Middlesbrough claim the Brazilian pair were effectively encouraged to break their contracts with promises of higher wages.Lawyers are preparing legal moves against Vega, Juninho's agent Antonio Caliendo and Gianni Paladini, British-based advisor to both Brazilians.A club insider revealed: "Paladini and Caliendo between them decided they would offer Emerson and Juninho for sale in Italy. And then Emerson's official agent Vega got in on the act."There were two clubs involved - Parma and Roma - Robson and Gibson were totally in the dark until the Italians contacted them."A phenomenal offer was made to Emerson which was megabucks compared to what we are paying him."Emerson's wages have been reported as pounds 16,000-a-week, but Boro sources put the figure at nearer pounds 11,000.Gibson's response was swift and decisive.He despatched Chief Executive Keith Lamb to Italy to warn Vega that Boro will use the full power of the law as well as FIFA's rules to ensure that Emerson and Juninho honour their contracts.Boro are expected to fine Emerson two weeks' wages for his no-show after being given permission to take a short break in Brazil."All the talk of an unhappy wife is rubbish," explained the insider. "Andrea Valeria is a girlfriend whom Emerson only met in June."He didn't even bring her over to England at first and she had only been here a week and half when she went back to Brazil."We told Emerson's people that there is no way he will ever play again if he breaks his contract with Boro. We are protected by the rules of FIFA."We had a meeting with Mr Vega in Italy and we told him that we would put him out of business if Emerson broke his contract with us."In fact it was made clear that we would put all three of them out of business."This sort of action by agents has to be smashed."