Director of QPR 'had gun held to his head'

A boardroom battle at a Championship football team turned into "something out of a gangster film" when a rival ordered a club director to quit at gunpoint, a court was told.

Gianni Paladini was asked if he could "have a word" by fellow director David Morris as they prepared to watch their team, Queens Park Rangers, play a home game, Blackfriars Crown Court in London heard.

David Williams QC, for the prosecution, told the jury: "This is like something out of a gangster film. Gianni Paladini ... was shouted at, slapped and punched. A gun was produced and possibly another held to the head of Gianni Paladini. Terrified for his safety he did as he was told [wrote a letter of resignation]."

Mr Paladini owned a 14.7 per cent stake in the club, the court heard, but fell out with Mr Morris, who was arrested by armed police at half-time along with six other men. All deny conspiracy to blackmail, false imprisonment and possession of a firearm.

The case continues.