During this period

During this period, the clubs were relatively evenly matched, although Chelsea were always considered the bigger club, with both occasionally dropping into the Second Division in the late 1970s and early 1980s, so they met in almost every season. The teams met in a competitive match for the first time since 1996, when drawn to face each other in the FA Cup 3rd Round on 5 January 2008. Sony VAIO VGN-SR11MR Battery

Chelsea won 1–0 thanks to a first-half own goal byLee Camp. There was trouble after this game; this led to 23 arrests and 1 fan being taken to hospital.^[5]

In recent times Chelsea have become one of the dominant forces in the English game, whereas QPR were in the second tier of English football for many years. Sony VAIO VGN-SR140D Battery

The links between the two clubs have been maintained through numerous on-loan players; two of Chelsea's best youth team players joined QPR on loan for the 2006–07 season. These players were Jimmy Smith and Michael Mancienne.^[6] Mancienne renewed his loan for the 2007–08 season. Sony VAIO VGN-SR140D/B Battery

QPR and Chelsea have competed in two pre-season friendlies since the turn of the century. The most recent was in 2003 when Chelsea thrashed a QPR Legends XI 7–0. On 28 July 2001. QPR stunned the £50 million Chelsea line-up by beating them 3–1. Jesper Gronkjaer gave Chelsea a first-half lead, but QPR got an equaliser from Leroy Griffiths and then took lead from a long range effort by Karl Connolly. Sony VAIO VGN-SR140D/P Battery

QPR confirmed the win when Gavin Peacock, also a former Chelsea player, scored late on.^[7] This game was marred by crowd trouble and saw both sets of fans enter the pitch.^{[citation needed]}

Mirroring Chelsea's purchase by Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, QPR have received investment from Flavio Briatore, Bernie Ecclestone and Lakshmi Mittal. Sony VAIO VGN-SR140D/S Battery

The fact that the Mittal family, who own a 20% stake in the club, are reputed to be five times as rich as Abramovich has seen QPR fans dub themselves the world's richest club.

On 30 August 2009, Chelsea were drawn against QPR in the third round of the 2009-10 Football League Cup,^[8] which saw Chelsea win the game 1–0 thanks to a goal from Salomon Kalou. Sony VAIO VGN-SR140E Battery

On 23 October 2011, Chelsea lost 1–0 to a newly promoted QPR in the first Premier League match between the sides since 1996. In a feisty encounter during which the Chelsea players were unable to cope with the hostile atmosphere generated by the QPR fans, players clashed on several occasions, with 9 Chelsea players and 2 QPR booked, and 2 Chelsea players, Sony VAIO VGN-SR140E/B Battery

José Bosingwa and Didier Drogba were sent off. Heiðar Helguson scored the only goal of the match through a penalty. Chelsea manager André Villas-Boas was charged by the Football Association for criticizing the performance of the referee Chris Foy, as he believed many of the big decisions made were incorrect. Sony VAIO VGN-SR140E/P Battery

Chelsea FC were fined £20,000 by the F.A. for not controlling their players, who picked up a record number of bookings in a single match in the Premier League era, and their manager was fined £12,000 for his comments on the referee in addition to being cautioned for future conduct. In the aftermath of the match, Sony VAIO VGN-SR140E/S Battery

a video was posted on YouTube showing Chelsea and England captain John Terry allegedly racially abusing Anton Ferdinand, for which he has been charged with a racially aggravated public order offence. ^[9] Chelsea then drew QPR again in the FA Cup, winning 1-0 at Loftus Road thanks to aJuan Mata penalty. Sony VAIO VGN-SR140N/S Battery

On 29 April 2012 Chelsea took revenge on QPR in the reverse league fixture with a ruthless 6-1 victory with 4 goals being scored in a nightmare opening 25 minutes for Rangers. Fernando Torres became the first player in over 20 years to score a hattrick in this West London Derby. Sony VAIO VGN-SR165E/B Battery

The origins of a rivalry between Fulham and QPR date back before Chelsea were formed. In 1892 the two teams met at Kensal Rise to play in the West London Cup Final. QPR were 3–2 victors and won their first piece of silverware.^[10] For the next few seasons QPR continued to win the cup, whilst Fulham won The West London League. Sony VAIO VGN-SR165E/P Battery

In recent times, however, QPR and Fulham derbies are not common as both teams have been in different divisions for all but two seasons since thePremier League first started in 1992. As two very similar clubs in size, history and fan base, derbies, are at times, fiercer and more competitive than those against Chelsea. Sony VAIO VGN-SR165E/S Battery

From 2002 until 2004 QPR and Fulham were closer than they had ever been when QPR and Fulham shared Loftus Road whilst Craven Cottage was being redeveloped. This added extra spice to a derby had they drawn each other in the cup, especially had QPR been the away team at their own ground. Sony VAIO VGN-SR190EBJ Battery

The matches during the 2000–01 season both ended up being 2–0 to Fulham. The game at Loftus Road saw Richard Langley and Clarke Carlisle - two of QPR's best players - seriously injured in the game and both were out for 18 months with cruciate ligament injuries, this was vital for QPR's descent into the third tier for the first time in 34 years.^[11] Sony VAIO VGN-SR190EBQ Battery

QPR were promoted to the Premier League for the 2011–12 season meaning the derby would take place for the first time in over 10 years and in the Premier League for the first time. The match finished in a 6–0 victory for Fulham, with Andy Johnson each bagging a hat-trick.^[12] Sony VAIO VGN-SR190EEJ/C Battery

The return fixture between the two sides is sure to ignite the rivalry as QPR have recently come under the managerial guidance of Mark Hughes, who was the manager of Fulham the previous season and left under controversial circumstances, citing the clubs' lack of ambition and stature as his reasons. Sony VAIO VGN-SR190NAB Battery

However, it could be argued that QPR are of no bigger or even less stature than Fulham and has angered many supporters and figureheads of Fulham, in particular their current manager Martin Jol who openly criticised Hughes in a tabloid newspaper.^[13] With a last-minute controversial switch by Bobby Zamora to the Hoops, Sony VAIO VGN-SR190NBB Battery

at the end of the January transfer window, Fulham's first return to their temporary ground was a spicy affair. Samba Diakité was sent off in the first half, and Zamora's replacement, Pavel Pogrebnyak scored the only goal of the game, meaning Fulham had done the double over QPR in the league. Sony VAIO VGN-SR190NDB Battery

Mohamed Abdel Moneim Al-Fayed (Arabic: محمد عبد المنعم الفايد‎, Muḥammad ʿAbd al-Munʻim al-Fāyad; born 27 January 1933) is an Egyptian businessman. Amongst his business interests are ownership of the English Premiership football team Fulham Football Club, Hôtel Ritz Paris and formerly Harrods Department Store, Knightsbridge. Sony VAIO VGN-SR190NEB Battery

Fayed has three siblings: Ali, Salah, and Safia; and married Finnish socialite and former model Heini Wathén in 1985, with whom he had four children: Jasmine, Karim, Camilla, and Omar; and three grandchildren. Fayed's son, Dodi, from his first marriage to Samira Khashoggi, died in a car crash in the Pont de l'Alma tunnel in Paris along with Diana, Sony VAIO VGN-SR190NGB Battery

Princess of Wales and driver Henri Paul on 31 August 1997. Fayed's wealth is estimated at $1.2 billion, making him the 993rd-richest person in the world.

Born in Bakos (باكوس), Alexandria, Egypt,^[1] as the eldest son of an Egyptian primary school teacher, Fayed's first entrepreneurial venture began at school where he sold homemade lemonade. Sony VAIO VGN-SR190PAB Battery

He was married for two years, from 1954 to 1956, to Samira Kashoggi.

Fayed and his brothers founded a shipping company in Egypt before moving its headquarters to Genoa, Italy with additional offices in London. Around 1964 Fayed entered a close relationship with Francois Duvalier and became interested in the construction of a Fayed-Duvalier oil refinery in Haiti. Sony VAIO VGN-SR190PCB Battery

He also associated with the geologist George de Mohrenschildt. Fayed terminated his stay in Haiti six months later when a sample of "crude oil" provided by Haitian associates proved to be low-grade molasses.^[2] It was then that Fayed moved to England where he lived in central London. In the mid 1960s, Sony VAIO VGN-SR190PFB Battery

Fayed met the ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Rashid al Makhtoum who entrusted Fayed with helping transform Dubai. Fayed introduced British companies like the Costain Group (of which he became a director and 30 percent shareholder), Bernard Sunley and Taylor Woodrow to the Emirate to carry out the required construction work. Sony VAIO VGN-SR19VN Battery

He also became a financial adviser to the then Sultan of Brunei Omar Ali Saifuddien III, in 1966.

Fayed set up IMS (International Marine Services) in 1968 Dubai.

He briefly joined the board of the mining conglomerate Lonrho in 1975 but left after a disagreement. In 1979, Fayed bought The Ritz hotel in Paris, France for US$30 million.^[3] Sony VAIO VGN-SR19VN Battery

In 1984, Fayed and his brothers purchased a 30 percent stake in House of Fraser, a group that included the famous London store Harrods, from Roland 'Tiny' Rowland, the head of Lonrho.

In 1985, he and his brothers bought the remaining 70 percent of House of Fraser for £615m. Sony VAIO VGN-SR19VRN Battery

Rowland claimed the Fayed brothers had lied about their background and wealth and put pressure on the government to investigate them. A Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) inquiry into the Fayeds was launched. The DTI's subsequent report was critical, but no action was taken against the Fayeds, and whilst many believed the contents of the report, others felt it was politically motivated.^[4] Sony VAIO VGN-SR19XN Battery

In 1998, Rowland accused Fayed of stealing papers and jewels from his Harrods safe deposit box. Fayed was arrested, but the charges were dropped.^[5] Rowland died in 1998. Fayed settled the dispute with a payment to his widow; he also sued the Metropolitan Police for false arrest in 2002, but lost the case.^[6] Sony VAIO VGN-SR19XN Battery

Fayed set up the Al Fayed Charitable Foundation in 1987 that aims to help children with life-limiting conditions and children living in poverty. In 1994, House of Fraser went public, but Fayed retained private ownership of Harrods. He relaunched the humour publication Punch in 1996 but it folded again in 2002. Sony VAIO VGN-SR210J/S Battery

Al Fayed unsuccessfully applied for British citizenship twice - once in 1994 and once in 1999.^[7][8] It has been suggested that the feud with Rowland contributed to Fayed's being refused British citizenship the first time.^[9]

In 1994, in what became known as the cash-for-questions affair, Sony VAIO VGN-SR21M/S Battery

Fayed revealed the names of MPs he had paid to ask questions in parliament on his behalf, but who had failed to declare their fees. It saw the Conservative MPs Neil Hamilton and Tim Smith leave the government in disgrace, and a Committee on Standards in Public Life established to prevent such corruption occurring again. Sony VAIO VGN-SR21RM/H Battery

Fayed also revealed that the cabinet minister Jonathan Aitken had stayed for free at theRitz Hotel in Paris at the same time as a group of Saudi arms dealers leading to Aitken's subsequent unsuccessful libel case and imprisonment for perjury.^[10]During this period Fayed was represented publicly by public relations expert and former BBC journalist Michael Cole. Sony VAIO VGN-SR21RM/S Battery

In 2003, Fayed moved from Surrey, UK to Switzerland, alleging a breach in an agreement with Inland Revenue. In 2005, he moved back to Britain, saying that he "regards Britain as home".^[9] He moors a yacht in Monaco called the Sokar.^[11]

After previously denying that Harrods was for sale, Harrods was sold to Qatar Holdings, Sony VAIO VGN-SR220J/B Battery

the sovereign wealth fund of the emirate of Qatar, on 10 May 2010. A fortnight previously, Fayed had stated that "People approach us from Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Qatar. Fair enough. But I put two fingers up to them. It is not for sale. This is not Marks and Spencer or Sainsbury's. It is a special place that gives people pleasure. There is only one Mecca."^[12] Sony VAIO VGN-SR220J/H Battery

Harrods was sold for £1.5 billion. Fayed later revealed in an interview that he decided to sell Harrods following the difficulty in getting his dividendapproved by the trustee of the Harrods pension fund. Fayed said "I'm here every day, I can't take my profit because I have to take a permission of those bloody idiots...I say is this right? Is this logic? Somebody like me? Sony VAIO VGN-SR240J/B Battery

I run a business and I need to take bloody fucking trustee's permission to take my profit"^[13]Fayed was appointed honorary chairman of Harrods, a position he will hold for at least six months.^[13]

In 1972, Fayed purchased the Balnagowan estate [1] in Easter Ross, Ross, Northern Scotland. From an initial twelve acres, Al-Fayed has since built the estate up to sixty five thousand acres.^[14] Sony VAIO VGN-SR240N/B Battery

Al-Fayed has invested more than £20 million in the estate, restored the 14th century pink Balnagowan castle, and created a tourist accommodation business.^[14] The Highlands of Scotland tourist board awarded Al-Fayed the "Freedom of the Highlands" in 2002, in recognition of his "outstanding contribution and commitment to the highlands".Sony VAIO VGN-SR290JTH Battery

As an Egyptian with links to Scotland, Al-Fayed was intrigued enough to fund a 2008 reprint of the 15th century chronicle Scotichronicon by Walter Bower. TheScotichronicon describes how Scota, a sister of the Egyptian Pharoh Tutankhamen, fled her family and landed in Scotland, bringing with her the Stone of Scone. Sony VAIO VGN-SR290JTJ Battery

According to the chronicle, Scotland was later named in her honour. The tale is disputed by modern historians.^[15] Al-Fayed later declared that "The Scots are originally Egyptians and that's the truth" ^[16]

In 2009 Al-Fayed revealed that he was a supporter of Scottish independence from the United Kingdom, Sony VAIO VGN-SR290JTQ Battery

announcing to the Scots that "It's time for you to waken up and detach yourselves from the English and their terrible politicians...whatever help is needed for Scotland to regain its independence, I will provide it...when you Scots regain your freedom, I am ready to be your president"

Al-Fayed bought the freehold of West London professional football club Fulham F.C. for £6.25 million in 1997. Sony VAIO VGN-SR290JVB/C Battery

The club was purchased via Bill Muddyman's Muddyman Group.^[17] His long-term aim was that Fulham would become a FA Premier League side within five years. In 2001, Fulham took the First Division (nowFootball League Championship) under manager Jean Tigana, winning 100 points and scoring over 100 goals in the season. Sony VAIO VGN-SR290JVH/C Battery

This meant that Al-Fayed had achieved his objective of Fulham being a Premiership club a year ahead of schedule. By 2002, Fulham were competing in European football, winning the Intertoto Cup and challenging in the UEFA Cup. Fulham have since continued to play in the Premiership, and reached the final of the 2009–10 UEFA Europa League. Sony VAIO VGN-SR290NTB Battery

Fulham temporarily left Craven Cottage whilst it was being upgraded to meet modern safety standards. There were fears that Fulham would not return to the Cottage, after it was revealed that Al-Fayed had sold the first right to build on the ground to a property development firm.^[18] Sony VAIO VGN-SR29VN/S Battery

Fulham lost a legal case against former manager Tigana in 2004 after Al-Fayed had wrongly alleged that Tigana had overpaid more than £7m for new players and had negotiated transfers in secret.^[19] In May 2007 Al-Fayed said he was interested in helping Scottish football team Ross County, following their relegation. Sony VAIO VGN-SR29XN/S Battery

In 2009 Al-Fayed revealed that he was in favour of a wage cap for footballers, and criticised the management of The Football Association and Premier League as "run by donkeys who don't understand business, who are dazzled by money." ^[21]

A statue of Michael Jackson was unveiled by Al-Fayed in April 2011 atSony VAIO VGN-SR2RVN/S Battery

Fulham's Craven Cottage stadium. In 1999 Jackson had attended a league game against Wigan Athletic F.C. at the stadium. Following criticisms of the statue, Al-Fayed said "If some stupid fans don't understand and appreciate such a gift this guy gave to the world they can go to hell. I don't want them to be fans."^[22] Sony VAIO VGN-SR390NAB Battery

Fulham F.C. is owned by Mafco Holdings, based in the tax haven of Bermuda. Mafco Holdings is owned by Al-Fayed and his family. By 2011, Al-Fayed had loaned Fulham F.C. £187 million in interest free loans.

Fayed's son, Dodi, was romantically involved with Diana, Princess of Wales. Sony VAIO VGN-SR390NAH Battery

However, on 31 August 1997, Diana and Dodi died in a car crash in the Pont de l'Almatunnel in Paris. Fayed believed that the driver, Henri Paul (who was also killed), had plotted with the Royal Family to kill Diana and Dodi. On 2 October 2007, an inquest was opened in London. On 18 February 2008, Sony VAIO VGN-SR41M/P Battery

Fayed accused The Duke of Edinburgh and The Prince of Wales of killing Diana and Dodi because the Prince was furious that Diana was dating Dodi.^[24] His testimony was roundly condemned in the press as being farcical. Members of the British Government's Intelligence and Security Committee accused Fayed of turning the inquest into a 'circus' and called for it to be ended maturely. Sony VAIO VGN-SR41M/S Battery

The inquest lasted for six months, and the jury verdict, declared given on 7 April 2008, was that Diana and Dodi had been unlawfully killed through the negligent driving of Henri Paul and those in control of the pursuing vehicles. Sony VAIO VGN-SR49VN/H Battery

Emad El-Din Mohamed Abdel Moneim Fayed (Arabic: عماد الدين محمد عبد المنعم الفايد‎), usually known as Dodi Fayed (15 April 1955 – 31 August 1997) was an Egyptian film producer. He was best known internationally as the boyfriend of Diana, Princess of Wales, with whom he died in a car crash in the Pont de l'Alma tunnel in Paris along with driver Henri Paul on 31 August 1997. Sony VAIO VGN-SR51B/P Battery

Emad El-Din Mohamed Abdel Moneim Fayed (Arabic: عماد الدين محمد عبد المنعم الفايد‎), usually known as Dodi Fayed (15 April 1955 – 31 August 1997) was an Egyptian film producer. He was best known internationally as the boyfriend of Diana, Princess of Wales, with whom he died in a car crash in the Pont de l'Alma tunnel in Paris along with driver Henri Paul on 31 August 1997. Sony VAIO VPC CW2MFX/PU Battery

In July 1997, Dodi became romantically involved with Diana, Princess of Wales. He had been engaged to American model Kelly Fisher,^[2] but broke off the engagement when he began his highly publicised relationship with Diana. In the early hours of 31 August of that year, Diana and Dodi died in a car crash in the Pont de l'Alma underpass in Paris. Sony VAIO VPC S11V9E/B Battery

They had stopped in Paris en route to London, after having spent nine days together on holiday in the French and Italian Rivieraaboard his family yacht, the Jonikal. Neither Dodi nor Diana was wearing a seatbelt. Some reports have suggested thatHenri Paul, the driver of their Mercedes-Benz limousine, Sony VAIO VPCB119GJ/B Battery

may have been under the influence of alcohol and paparazzi chasing the couple may have caused the car accident. Dodi's father, Mohamed Al-Fayed claimed that the couple were executed by MI6 agents.^[3] Fayed's former spokesman Michael Cole has claimed that the couple had become engaged before their deaths. Sony VAIO VPCB11AGJ Battery

Their relationship and death are documented in the television filmDiana: Last Days of a Princess. Dodi was originally interred in Brookwood Cemetery near Woking, Surrey, but was moved to the Fayed estate in Oxted, Surrey.

Dodi's father has erected two memorials to Dodi and Diana at Harrods. Sony VAIO VPCB11AVJ Battery

The first, unveiled on 12 April 1998, consists of photos of the two behind a pyramid-shaped display that holds a wine glass still smudged with lipstick from Diana's last dinner as well as a ring Dodi purchased the day before they died.The second, unveiled in 2005 and titled "Innocent Victims", is a 3m high bronze statue of the two dancing on a beach beneath the wings of an albatross. Sony VAIO VPCB11V9E Battery

The memorials were designed by 80-year-old Bill Mitchell, a close friend of Fayed and architect for Harrods for more than 40 years. Sony VAIO VPCB11X9E Battery,Sony VAIO VPCCW18FJ/P Battery,Sony VAIO VPCCW18FJ/R Battery