Football talk

A row has broken out between the Premier League and the BBC over coverage of a Football Focus fans' survey. The League's chiefs were angry about not being asked for comment on the NOP poll during a discussion on Five Live's breakfast show last Friday. Ticket prices, foreign players and big clubs' influence were among the issues probed, but the show's guest was Malcolm Clarke, the Football Supporters' Federation chairman. A Premier League official was immediately on the phone accusing the BBC of a lack of balance.

A Premier League source said: "People think they can say what they like about football but if you did the same about a commercial organisation you would have all sorts of issues." A spokesperson for the BBC said the Premier League's comments on the survey were broadcast on later Five Live shows that day.

Campbell has naked ambition

A reminder this week of a classic line from peerless TV quiz Family Fortunes. Les Dennis: "Name a bird with a long neck." Contestant: "Naomi Campbell." The supermodel of course fluttered into Loftus Road on Monday to join Flavio Briatore for QPR's 1-0 win over Norwich. Campbell was given a pre-match tour of the dressing rooms and the chance to meet the players. Upon entering the tunnel area she caught sight of defender Mikele Leigertwood, who was completely naked. In true diva style, Campbell gave a mock shriek before averting her eyes.

Hopeful Claridge is on prowl

Perhaps Steve Claridge sensed Willie Donachie's days were numbered and a managerial vacancy could crop up at Millwall. The former Lions striker has been spotted at the club's training ground and was in the crowd for the 2-0 win over Northampton. But Talk understands Claridge has little chance of getting the job with the Millwall hierarchy looking to appoint a candidate with a proven track record.

Jose not so special in the End

EastEnders actor Phil Daniels is one of the few Chelsea fans who believes Jose Mourinho was past his sell-by date. He told Five Live: "I'm not one of those that is desperately unhappy. There was a lot of moaning about the way we were playing. I love Mourinho but he had gone a bit stale. It might be interesting to have a Dutch coach down there." Dutchman Henk ten Cate will become the highest-paid assistant in Premier League history with a salary of £1.8million a year.

Hammers at sixes and sevens

West Ham's new sponsors, XL Holidays, have finally got their sums right. The holiday company took over from Jobserve as the Hammers' shirt sponsors this season and have taken out adverts all around the ground. Unfortunately, the banner adorning the Centenary Stand since August - "Choose from 7 paradise islands - Antigua, Barbados, Grenada, St Kitts, St Lucia and Tobago" - proved misleading. Someone eventually twigged and it now reads to "Choose from 6 paradise islands. . ."

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