Mark Hughes has no plans to ban QPR squad from using Twitter

Mark Hughes insists he has no plans to ban his Queens Park Rangers squad from using Twitter providing they don’t bring the club into disrepute.

On-loan Manchester United striker Federico Macheda was fined £15,000 by the Football Association last week after he was found guilty of using homophobic language on the social networking site.

The QPR manager revealed the London outfit are currently reviewing their disciplinary procedures, but the 48-year-old does not envisage a total ban on social networks at Loftus Road.

“I don’t think we’re at the point of banning it,” said Hughes. “The players have to understand that any comments regarding what happens in the football club or sensitive information is off limits.

“I think there is an understanding of that so when players transgress, then they have to expect to sanctions. That’s no different here to anywhere else.

“All I’m saying is we’re constantly reviewing Twitter and getting an understanding of the best way to go in a disciplinary sense.

“It will be fully in place next year. Until then, we reserve the right to retrospectively look back and address things.”

Macheda may have landed himself in further trouble after he tweeted a foul-mouthed message following his exclusion from the QPR squad which drew 1-1 with Everton last Saturday.

And Hughes revealed the 20-year-old could face punishment at the end of the season once the club have reviewed their disciplinary procedures.

“Federico Macheda has made a number of tweets and it’s cost him quite a significant amount of money,” added Hughes.

“With regards to Twitter, our disciplinary procedures are under review because it needs to be looked at.

“I’ve come in half way through the season. There are things in place at the moment that in terms of sanctions aren’t quite at the level they should be.

“Any misdemeanours from now until the end of the season may be looked retrospectively at the end of the season.

“In terms of Federico, I believe he’s closed his account now so that’s the end of the matter.”

Hughes believes Twitter is here to stay and while the Rangers boss has no intention of joining the site himself, he can see the value of interacting with fans, with QPR skipper Joey Barton a particularly prolific Tweeter.

But should the social network become a big issue at QPR, Hughes insists he will have no hesitation in banning his players from using it.

“It’s not going to go away any time soon,” he added.

“So as long as the players understand the line that needs to be drawn in terms of how it impacts on the club they’re employed by and the team they play for, then there isn’t an issue from my point of view.

“In terms of taking part in it and engaging with other people it seems to fulfil their need in this day and age.

“It’s not something I feel needs to be in my life, but we’re not going to jump up and down because it’s part of modern life. It may go away but I don’t anticipate that happening any time soon.

“It’s not causing me any major grief. It would be a different if it became a big issue for the club and the team. At the moment it isn’t, so it doesn’t really concern me.”

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Read more on: federico macheda, football association, joey barton, mark hughes, Premier League, Queens Park Rangers, twitter.