Gary Speed has rocked Everton with a written transfer demand after the club rejected three offers for their skipper from Newcastle. The Welsh international captain has handed a request to manager Howard Kendall and it seems certain that the new crisis involving the 28-year-old will be discussed at Everton's board meeting tonight.

Speed's agent, Hayden Evans, said yesterday: "It's a fact that Gary handed Howard Kendall a written transfer request this week. We're now waiting for a response from the club. Gary has had a considerable amount of hate mail from fans following claims that he had turned down a new, improved contract."

The atmosphere between Everton and Speed has not been helped by the claims that he rejected a new contract that would have almost doubled his wages.

Evans stressed that there had been no negotiations on a new deal - Speed still has two years of his current contract to run - and that the player never snubbed a new offer.

Evans added: "Nothing was ever offered and it was made out that Gary had turned it down. That's what caused the hate mail."

Speed's decision to finally put his desire to leave the club in writing will bring to a head a saga that has seen Newcastle have three bids turned down and Sheffield Wednesday one.

Newcastle will now surely table another bid for Speed in the near future, even though Kendall has consistently blocked their offers, which had increased to £5 million plus defender Darren Peacock.

FIFA is set to ratify the use of a fourth official in matches when its International Board meets in Paris on March 6th.

FIFA secretary general Sepp Blatter said the additional official's main role would be to take some pressure off the referee by logging the yellow and red cards handed out, as well as substitutions.

The International Board will also consider a proposal to allow one of the two referees' assistants on to the pitch to ensure defensive walls are far enough back at free-kicks. Blatter said this would allow the referee to take up a position from where he would be better able to spot fouls in the penalty area.

If approved the proposals will be introduced after the World Cup finals in France from June 10th-July 12th.