FC Moscow will not be allowed to play a Russian Premier Liga match in London after the head of the Russian FA branded the idea senseless.

The club, backed by media company IMG, had hoped to contest their 'home' league fixture against champions Zenit St Petersburg, scheduled for mid-March, in the English capital.

But RFU chief Vitaly Mutko confirmed the proposal had been rejected at a meeting of the governing body on Tuesday.

He said: "I was surprised by the proposal. I don't see the sense of it. This is the Russian championship - why would we play in England?

"There are plenty of ways to promote Russian football, for example our teams participating in European competition as well as the national team."

FC Moscow president Yury Belous was disappointed by the outcome. He told www.sports.ru: "It could have been a good advert for our football and to help Europe find out about us."

Reports had suggested Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich would attempt to stage the match at Stamford Bridge.