adminLONDON. — Harry Redknapp admitted he was a relieved man after Bobby Zamora’s last-gasp strike fired QPR back into the English Premier League and eased the club’s precarious financial situation. Redknapp’s side hit the jackpot at Wembley on Saturday as they rode their luck to steal a 1-0 victory against Derby in the Championship play-off final. Zamora’s fine finish in stoppage-time was QPR’s first and only shot on target and came completely against the run of play after Derby had dominated following the 60th minute dismissal of Hoops midfielder Gary O’Neil.
The frenzied celebrations by QPR’s Malaysian owner Tony Fernandes, who was drenched in champagne by the time he left the on-pitch party after the final whistle, made it clear how important promotion was for the west London club, who would have been in danger of sinking into financial chaos if they had been condemned to another season in the second tier following their relegation in 2013. Fernandes has funded a £70 million wage bill reportedly higher than Spanish champions Atletico Madrid, while also coping with annual losses of around £65 million and estimated debts of £177 million. — AFP.
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