The Premier League yesterday announced the first 11 matches which will be shown on pay-per-view (PPV) television - a move which will further erode the number of top-flight games being played on Saturday afternoons.

Chelsea's clash with Newcastle on Sunday August 19th will be the first game screened of the 40 available on PPV throughout the season.

Most of the PPV games will be played at 2pm on Sundays, meaning that the number of Premiership games kicking off at 3pm on Saturdays will decline even further.

Already, BSkyB show one live match at 4pm on Sundays, one on Monday nights and then clubs which have played in the UEFA Cup on Thursday nights will have their matches rescheduled for Sundays.

With three clubs in the UEFA Cup, plus Liverpool if they fail to qualify for the Champions League, and others playing on PPV the number of Premiership games on Saturday afternoons will hit an all-time low.

Even on non-European weeks, the effect will be noticeable. On Saturday October 13th, Liverpool v Leeds will be shown on Sky at 12.00, Aston Villa v Fulham is the Sunday Sky game, Blackburn v West Ham will be on pay-per-view and Tottenham v Derby screened to satellite TV viewers on Monday night.

Former Arsenal boss George Graham will work as a summariser for BSkyB's "Premiership Plus" programme, which will be hosted by Marcus Buckland.

Alex Ferguson has issued a direct challenge to the Manchester United board, claiming it would be a "real kick in the teeth" if they fail to make any big-name signings this summer.

Ferguson returned from his three-week holiday today to tell chief executive Peter Kenyon that he still believes the team needs a couple of fresh faces.

Ferguson has always maintained that the 19 million signing of Ruud van Nistelrooy should just be the first of a number of high-profile arrivals at Old Trafford.

Two top Juventus officials have been charged with "sporting fraud" relating to alleged doping offences following a three-year inquiry, the Italian Serie A club said yesterday..

Juventus director Antonio Giraudo and club doctor Antonio Agricola will be tried in a Turin court on January 31st next year, the club confirmed. to Reuters after media reports.

Celtic defender Alan Stubbs looks set to seal a free transfer switch to Everton tomorrow.

The 29-year-old is now a free agent after his Celtic contract expired over the weekend.

AC Milan have signed Italy international striker Filippo Inzaghi from Serie A rivals Juventus.