Charlton have called on the Premier League to order a replay of last Saturday's game at Chelsea "on a grass surface". They lost 4-1 on a pitch called a "beach" by Chelsea's coach Claudio Ranieri.

Alan Curbishley said after the match that he could not blame the heavily-sanded surface for his team's defeat, noting it was the same for both sides.

Nevertheless, Charlton's chief executive, Peter Varney, has formally requested a replay.

Charlton claim the surface breached Premier League rules, barring artificial pitches, and that they were not told by Chelsea they would be playing "on an artificial sand surface and not grass".

They say they had no chance to prepare on a similar surface or bring appropriate footwear. The Premier League's board will hold preliminary talks about the request today. It would be unprecedented for the league to order the replay of a completed match.

Last night Chelsea pledged full co-operation with the inquiry.

Barcelona are confident Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink will agree to join them if they can strike a deal with Chelsea, who want about £8 million.

Robbie Fowler is expected to be unveiled as a Manchester City player today after two days of tests to prove his fitness. The club's insurers insisted on a rigorous examination for a player whose career was threatened by a hip injury at the start of the season.

Martin O'Neill is set to belatedly join his Celtic players at their Florida training camp in Orlando today after missing the first three days. "Martin has been away on club business and will join us on Thursday," said a spokesman.

Mohamed Al-Fayed's Fulham have signed a £50 million agreement that would mean Craven Cottage is demolished and replaced by a development of Harrods-branded luxury flats if planning permission is obtained.

Contracts seen by the Guardian newspaper confirm the club intends to sell the historic riverside stadium, which has been home to Fulham since 1896.

A club spokesman last night denied the deal meant Fulham would definitely quit the ground for good. "This is a precautionary move in case we reach a point at which we have to sell Craven Cottage," he said.

Graham Barrett and his representatives will sit down with Preston North End officials this morning to hammer out the differences over personal terms that have so far prevented the striker completing a £300,000 move from Arsenal.

Barrett was at Deepdale last night and both parties appear to be confident that a deal can be done after the club substantially improved on their original offer to the player last week.

Leeds are to start negotiations with £4 million-rated Kleberson - after the Brazilian's 15-year-old bride-to-be agreed to his marriage proposal. Atletico Paranaense midfielder Kleberson was not prepared to leave his homeland unless girlfriend Dayane Wilians Da Silva said "yes" to marriage.

The 23-year-old is due to wed on St Valentine's Day when Miss Da Silva turns 16.