GIANNI Paladini has been named as the new chairman of Queens Park Rangers Football Club.

He was the unanimous choice of the board after Interim chairman Gualtiero Trucco stepped down.

Paladini said: "I am deeply honoured that the directors have allowed me this opportunity. I believe these are wonderful times to be a QPR supporter.

"We have a wonderful manager in Ian Holloway, an exciting and improving squad and a real opportunity to push for the play-offs.

"I believe we now have the right people in place, both on the pitch and behind the scenes, to take the club forward."

But the new man in charge has not had the easiest of baptisms with an FA charge landing in his lap and a 3-1 home defeat against Crystal Palace following soon after.

Rangers and opponents Leicester City, have been charged by the FA with failing to control their players during their Championship match at the Walkers Stadium on September 24.

There was a mass brawl during the game, which QPR won 2-1, and referee Colin Webster showed two red and seven yellow cards during the match, with Paul Furlong grabbing the decider just before he was sent off.

The two clubs have until October 12 to respond to the charge.

Then on Monday, Rangers live television jinx struck again as they crashed at home to Palace in a London derby.

They were undone by a four-minute brace from German Marco Reich.

Gareth Ainsworth's header reduced the deficit but Palace added a third late on through Tom Soares.

QPR boss Ian Holloway said: "Palace were a little bit stronger than us in every department.

"We have lost our last two matches at home. It's not a nice feeling and we are not used to it. I wasn't very pleased in the dressing room after the game."

"Our lack of strength in depth hurt us.

"We were beaten by the slightly better side. But when we get our players back, we will have a better chance.

He also blamed the Sky TV cameras as Rangers failed to produce in front of the armchair audience again.

He said: "It's happened before. There's too much stuff going on and it distracts the players."

Rangers are without a game this weekend because of the World Cup qualifiers.