English FA to contact QPR after missiles hit Chelsea players

The Football Association will be contacting QPR and Chelsea after an incident which saw Branislav Ivanovic struck on the head by a cigarette lighter thrown from a section of home supporters at Loftus Road.

QPR are unlikely to face disciplinary action over the incident which happened as Chelsea players celebrated the winning goal in Sunday’s 1-0 victory.

It is understood however that the FA will seek observations from each club and will ensure that QPR and the police are taking the necessary steps to identify the culprit via CCTV and for them to face a banning order.

QPR are reviewing CCTV footage and have promised to ban those involved. They have also appealed to witnesses to come forward.

A club spokesperson said: “Whilst we understand that passions run high during derby fixtures, this is not the kind of behaviour the club condones in any way, shape or form.

“We take a zero tolerance approach to this sort of behaviour and, if the perpetrators are identified, they will be banned indefinitely from the stadium and, where appropriate, we will liaise with the Metropolitan Police.

“The club are awaiting communication from the FA following the referee’s report and will work closely with them in ensuring something like this does not happen again.

“We would also appeal to fans with any information regarding yesterday’s incident to contact the club, as we feel it’s important to identify the perpetrators as soon as possible, as we believe they are not a true representation of the QPR fan-base.”