English Championship club Queens Park Rangers' assistant manager Richard Hill has been banned from football for three months and the club fined up to 40,000 pounds by England's Football Association for their part in a brawl with the Chinese U-23 Olympic team. A friendly match at the west London club's training ground on 7 February had to be abandoned after a late second-half clash in which one Chinese player, Zheng Tao, was knocked unconscious and suffered a broken jaw. QPR had pleaded guilty to a charge of failing to control their players and were punished with an initial 20,000-pound fine with a further 20,000 pound fine suspended until May 2008.
Hill, who was suspended indefinitely by Rangers in the wake of the incident, has been "suspended from all football and football management until September 30", after charges of violent conduct were upheld, AFP reported. He has 14 days to appeal. Hill could also face criminal charges as police are continuing to investigate his role in the incident. Seven members of China's squad were sent home following the clashes, which involved more than 30 players and members of the coaching staff on both sides.
Hill, who was suspended indefinitely by Rangers in the wake of the incident, has been "suspended from all football and football management until September 30", after charges of violent conduct were upheld, AFP reported. He has 14 days to appeal. Hill could also face criminal charges as police are continuing to investigate his role in the incident. Seven members of China's squad were sent home following the clashes, which involved more than 30 players and members of the coaching staff on both sides.