With acting FA chairman Roger Burden deciding to withdraw from the running over England's perceived poor treatment in the 2018 World Cup contest, Sir Keith, 61, was one of the names put forward to take up the post.

But he told insidethegames the idea was a "non-starter" because of other pressing commitments.

Speaking after the annual general meeting of Tottenham Hotspur, of which he is a non-executive director, Sir Keith said: "I have not put my name forward and there has been no formal approach from the FA - it is a non-starter."

As one of the country's most skilled and experienced sports administrators, Sir Keith's name has regularly been raised in connection with the vacant post, due to be selected imminently and presented to the FA board three days before Christmas.

But he insisted he simply did not have the time.

"Some people within football HAVE approached me but I have told them the same story - that I am too busy with 2012, Tottenham and a huge number of other business commitments."

Earlier Sir Ketih, who ran the question and answer session at the end of the Spurs annual general meeting, assured shareholders he would not be leaving.

"Rumours surrounding my appointment as FA chairman have been greatly exaggerated," he said.

"I intend to stay on as non-executive director of Tottenham as long as they will have me."