Fulham and Chelsea ground-share talks break down

Homeless Fulham are back to square one in their search for a ground for the 2004-05 season after confirmation that talks with Chelsea over moving in at Stamford Bridge have broken down.

Mohamed Al Fayed’s club have only committed to Loftus Road for one more season, after the Premier League ruled Queens Park Rangers’ home would need significant improvements to host top-flight football beyond May 2004.

Fulham then revived talks over a short-term deal with Chelsea – but those discussions hit the buffers today amid reports of a row with Blues chairman Ken Bates over a ’golden hello’ running into millions of pounds.

A Cottagers spokesman said: “We’re disappointed negotiations have broken down."