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QPR chairman Tony Fernandes has ordered manager Harry Redknapp and forward Adel Taarabt to put a halt to their public row about the player's fitness. Redknapp had refused to relent on his claim after Sunday's 3-2 Liverpool defeat that Taarabt is "about three stone overweight." Taarabt released pictures holding up his shirt in a bid to dispel Redknapp's jibes, claiming the former Tottenham boss has used him as a scapegoat for QPR's early-season troubles. Yet on Tuesday the war of words escalated as Redknapp branded Taarabt "the worst professional I have ever come across,"Â saying a bout of tonsillitis was the only way Taarabt has been able to shed some pounds. Fernandes reacted by holding talks with both men, later stating the exchange between Redknapp and Morocco international Taarabt had caused the club "embarrassment''. Fernandes said in a QPR statement: "As a club, we are fully aware of stories in the press over the last few days regarding Harry Redknapp and Adel Taarabt. "We regret these issues being played out in public and both Harry Redknapp and Adel Taarabt have been notified of our disappointment regarding their handling of the situation. I have spoken to them both personally. "On behalf of the club, I would like to apologise to the QPR supporters for the embarrassment this has caused and confirm that the issue has been dealt with internally. "The club's entire focus is now on the Aston Villa fixture next Monday and hopefully after a tough few days we can turn a negative into a positive and build on Sunday's improved display.''
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