QUOTES OF THE WEEK

n I have been watching Chelsea from outside the directors' box for 31 of the last 33 years so it's hardly going to kill me. Matthew Harding on his ban by Chelsea chairman Ken Bates.

n When he's prepared to put money into the club - or even pay for his own tickets - he will be entitled to his opinion. Harding on criticism from David Mellor MP.

n It was a short punch... I did not consider it a sending-off offence. Ray Megson, the touch-judge at England's game against South Africa, who spotted Joel Stransky's attack on Ben Clarke.

n I hope he will be able to concentrate on the football. It would be terrible if something cropped up a couple of months before the championship and the FA had to take the job away from him. Sir Bobby Charlton on England manager Terry Venables.

n I guess I'm lucky. I've never felt frightened by the thought of physical pain. Robin Smith on being at the consumer end of the bouncer business.

n Before the match I told my players they will be playing against 11 guys ready to fight for each other for 90 minutes - not with each other. Oleg Romantsev, Spartak Moscow coach, on the Le Saux-Batty bust-up.

n One thing I do know: it's going to be the biggest party of all time. Colin McRae after becoming Britain's first world rally champion.

Rob McLean