"I'm sure at the end of the day he will stay," Zahavi said of Ferdinand. Nevertheless the confirmation that the England defender will definitely not sign the deal on offer from United, which is believed to amount to a salary of £100,000-a-week, will anger the club's fans especially after the support given to him during his eight-month ban for missing a drugs test.It also contradicts the recent statements from chief executive David Gill who insisted that there was "no stumbling block" despite a three-month wait. At the same time Zahavi insisted that the 26-year-old, who has two years left on his present deal, has no intention of leaving Old Trafford despite reports yesterday linking him again to Real Madrid who are about to off-load central defender Walter Samuel to Internazionale. No new talks are scheduled with Ferdinand's agent Pini Zahavi declaring that United will have to improve the terms currently on offer. Rio Ferdinand has failed to reach agreement with Manchester United over a new contract. Final qualifying, which is taking place nearby, should not be affected Two football-related events were also postponed yesterday. Arsenal were to host the "topping-out" ceremony at their new Emirates Stadium and Chelsea had intended to unveil new signing Asier del Horno and a new kit. How sport is affected TODAY * Complete round of county cricket fixtures to go ahead * All horse racing unaffected * Scottish Open at Loch Lomond to continue * British Grand Prix qualifying at Silverstone remains on TOMORROW * British trials for World Athletics Championships to take place in Manchester * Horse racing unaffected * Scottish Open at Loch Lomond to continue * British GP qualifying still on SUNDAY * MCC to meet today to discuss whether Natwest Challenge match between England and Australia at Lord's will go ahead * All horse racing still on * Scottish Open at Loch Lomond to continue * British GP still on.

With a week to go before The Open begins at St Andrews, the Royal and Ancient Golf Club said it would consult with Fife Constabulary but expected to proceed as planned. Racing director Andrew Cooper said: "The decision was taken in view of the escalating situation in London. We feel it would be inappropriate to race." With the meeting due to be followed by an open-air concert by Ronan Keating, a crowd of about 10,000 had been expected. Today's meetings at Chepstow, Chester, Lingfield, Wolverhampton and York are scheduled to go ahead.

It would be counter-productive to go into detail but at this stage the event is continuing as planned. Most people drive to the event so we are not expecting many problems with transport." Last night's race meeting at Epsom was called off as the scale of fatalities in London became clear. Silverstone issued a statement to "reassure all visitors that the security of both spectators and participants is of paramount importance". It added: "Silverstone is confident that the [security] measures are adequate to ensure the safety of all attending." Dan Leach, spokesman for the Northamptonshire track, said: " Unfortunately, post-9/11, security is a major issue at all big sporting events and you have to be prepared. Similar precautions are likely at Silverstone, where security has been tightened since the 9/11 attacks in 2001, and the one-man track invasion at the track two years later.