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Magilton suspended over alleged headbutt

Jim Magilton, formerly manager at Ipswich Town, has been suspended by QPR
Jim Magilton, formerly manager at Ipswich Town, has been suspended by QPR

QPR have confirmed that they have suspended manager Jim Magilton following an incident during Monday night's clash with Watford.

Rangers are investigating allegations that Magilton head-butted Hungarian midfielder Akos Buszaky during the 3-1 defeat, an incident which also involved several other Rangers players.

A club statement said: 'The club can confirm that manager Jim Magilton has been suspended with immediate effect, pending an internal investigation.

'The suspension relates to an incident which occurred at Monday's Championship fixture against Watford at Vicarage Road.

'The club will be making no further comment at this stage.'

Magilton is the second manager this week to be embroiled in a high-profile clash with a player, following Stoke City manager Tony Pulis' alleged head butt on James Beattie after the defeat to Arsenal at the weekend.

The pair reportedly came to blows over the players' Christmas party in London after the 2-0 defeat at the Emirates Stadium.

The argument erupted after Pulis was said to go back on his word to give his side the Monday off, resulting in a changing room fracas.

Training went ahead as scheduled on Monday and a team meeting was called between players and management, while Beattie went to the gym at the Britannia Stadium as he has a knee problem.

And two days later Magilton became the latest manager to be accused of head butting a player.

The Ulsterman allegedly reacted furiously to Buszaky's response when he asked whether he thought he was being bullied.

Patrick Agyemang then reportedly stepped in to intervene, condemning Magilton for the unprovoked attack, while Buszaky stormed out the dressing room.

The former Plymouth Argyle playmaker has since reportedly threatened to press charges over the incident and his representative was reported to have met Rangers chairman Gianni Paladini yesterday.

Magilton's future at Loftus Road is now in jeopardy following his suspension, pending a full internal investigation.

The 40-year-old, who penned a two-year deal at Rangers in June, has seen his team win just one of their last seven matches and concede eight goals in their last two games.

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