Queens Park Rangers have announced that they will carry out their own ‘disciplinary procedures’ over Ilias Chair.
The Morocco international recently saw his jail term reduced to 1,500 hours of community service and a fine of €1,600 (£1,343) after being convicted of breaking a man’s skull with a rock.
The incident happened after a kayaking trip in northern France when an altercation broke out with the man, a lorry driver. Chair claimed that his actions were because he felt he needed to defend members of his family.
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The 26-year-old was initially sentenced to a year in prison after being convicted by a Belgian court in February, but the forward immediately appealed the decision.
It has now been announced that his criminal conviction has been ruled as a misdemeanour after a deal was reached with prosecutors.
Chair has continued to play for QPR throughout the entire legal process and made 44 appearances for the Championship side last season, but the Loftus Road outfit have now announced that they will sit down with their No. 10 following the news of his reduced conviction.
QPR released a statement on Wednesday which read: “The club takes note of the decision by the Belgian judiciary concerning our player, Ilias Chair. Queens Park Rangers Football Club expects its staff and players to conduct themselves in an exemplary fashion at all times.
“The club will now carry out its own disciplinary procedures, which will include reminding the player of his responsibilities at all times.”
Chair was allowed to continue going about his everyday life because, under Belgian law, those convicted of crimes are allowed to remain living normally until the legal process has drawn to a close entirely. Chair was born in Belgium but is of Moroccan descent and therefore opted to represent the African nation.
He has made 12 appearances for Morocco and will be hoping to continue his good form at club level to justify winning further caps. The versatile forward impressed at QPR last season and will be hoping that his side will bolster their ranks over the summer transfer window so that they can get back to the Premier League under manager Marti Cifuentes.
