Taarabt won't be punished for smoking

QPR coach Mark Hughes has revealed that Morocco's international midfielder Adel Taarabt won't be banned despite pictures emerging of him smoking. The 22-year old player was pictured with the widely popular Arabian shisha (pipe) in his hand alongside with Morocco and Arsenal striker Marouane Chamakh. "I saw the picture. If you're a professional athlete, you shouldn't really smoke but a lot of players do," Hughes was quoted as saying on Skysports.com. "I think what Adel was doing with his friends was a social activity and that is how he relaxes. As with everything in life, if it is done in moderation then it shouldn't have an impact on you." "But he is a professional athlete so, from my point of view, I wouldn't encourage it," he concluded. QPR coach included Taarabt to his squad that will travel to play Manchester United next Sunday. Hughes took a very moderate position comparing to his Arsenal's counterpart Arsene Wenger who revealed that the future of Chamakh at Arsenal is on the line.