Plans have been unveiled to host all four English FA Cup quarter-final ties on the same Sunday, with each of the games being broadcast live on television.

Some may complain that it goes against the traditions of all four quarter-final ties kicking off at 3 p.m. on Saturday, but at least two of the games have been moved in recent seasons in any case.

The net result is therefore likely to be that the four ties will kick off at 11.30 a.m., 1 p.m., 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. on March 10th.

With two being shown by the BBC and the other two being broadcast by Sky Sports, there would therefore be at least six hours of live football on television on the same day.

The plan can, however, not be finalised until after the draw is made for that round because there is the technical possibility that clubs from the same city, such as Everton and Liverpool, could both be drawn at home.

The Chelsea chairman Ken Bates has failed in his bid to oust David Dein from his influential position within the Football Association.

The Chelsea chairman stood against Dein for the position of vice-chairman, a powerful role from which Bates could have exerted immense authority.

However, it is understood that though a vote taken yesterday by the representatives of Premier League clubs was close, Dein just held on.

Sven-Goran Eriksson has failed in a bid to have Liverpool's "problem" match against Bolton, which takes place just five days before England face Germany, postponed due to the overloaded fixture schedule.

The Premiership game next Monday night at least offers Robbie Fowler the chance to gain more match-fitness, with Eriksson welcoming the news that the striker had apologised for his row with coach Phil Thompson.

Fulham coach Jean Tigana has had an initial bid rejected for Lyon's France striker Steve Marlet.

The Premiership newcomers made an approach for Marlet yesterday, but Tigana was told the club would not consider selling him until their injury crisis cleared up.

Coventry have completed the signing of Moroccan midfielder Youssef Safri after he was granted a work permit. The 24-year-old joins the Sky Blues from Raja Casablanca after being watched by manager Gordon Strachan for more than a year.

Geoff Hurst has accepted a "substantial" offer from former club West Ham for his England World Cup winners medal. Wembley's 1966 hat-trick hero had kept the medal in a bank vault but the Hammers want the commemorative piece to form one of the main attractions in the club museum.