'I am absolutely stunned' - Middlesbrough's Championship rivals QPR slam EFL restart decision

The Premier League announced on Thursday that play is due to return on June 17 following the coronavirus suspension in mid-March and the EFL has followed suit announcing the Championship is set to restart in a couple of weeks.

But that news came as a shock to the QPR chief who says the players haven't even returned to full-contact training yet and questioned how can they be expected to compete in just a few weeks.

Hoos said: “I am absolutely stunned by this announcement, as is our director of football Les Ferdinand and our manager Mark Warburton.

“Incredibly, there has been absolutely no consultation with individual clubs nor with the Championship doctors' working group by the divisional representatives - or anyone else in the Football League – regarding this matter.

“On top of that, we were only made aware of the statement 40 minutes before it was made public.

“Having spoken with Les and Mark, they share my views. We are vehemently opposed to this schedule.

“The players haven’t even returned to full-contact training at this moment and yet they are now expected to be in a position to play at a competitive level in just three weeks’ time.

“I have made our feelings known to the EFL and, having spoken with a number of CEOs at other Championship clubs, I am not a lone voice on this matter.

“We are absolutely appalled.”

Mid-table QPR are 13th, relegation-threatened Boro are 19th just two points above the drop zone.

EFL chair Rick Parry said: "Whilst matches will unfortunately have to take place without supporters, we are working with our broadcast partners, EFL Championship clubs and all relevant stakeholders to broadcast the remaining 108 games plus Sky Bet Championship play-offs either live on Sky Sports, iFollow or a club's equivalent streaming service.

"We must stress that at this stage the date is only provisional and will only be confirmed once we have met all the requirements, as the health, safety and well-being of all participants, staff and supporters remains our top priority.”