Asian airline magnate Tony Fernandes is expected to take control of West London Premier League football club Queens Park Rangers today.
Fernandes, owner of Malaysian low-cost carrier AirAsia, is believed to be close to finalising a deal to give him a 51% stake in the club, which suffered a thrashing by Bolton Wanderers in its first match in the Premier League on Saturday.
Fernandes, whose long-haul off-shoot AirAsia X flies from Kuala Lumpur to London, is believed to have been at the match.
QPR is currently controlled by Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone, who has a 62% stake in the club. According to the Financial Times, the balance of Ecclestone's share is expected to be sold to Indian steel magnate and multi-billionaire Lakshmi Mittal, who already owns 33% of the club.
Fernandes' business interests include hotels and telecoms in addition to Kuala Lumpur-based AirAsia, one of the region's fastest growing budget airlines. Last week he also acquired a controlling stake in Malaysia flag carrier Malaysia Airlines.
By Linsey McNeill
