Chelsea in clear on Cole 'tap' row

Chelsea look certain to escape censure over allegations they tapped up Ashley Cole after Standard Sport learned the defender was not the player at the centre of a secret meeting in a London hotel.

According to sources close to the club, the Arsenal star did not meet Chelsea's chief executive Peter Kenyon, head coach Jose Mourinho and the agent Pini Zahavi last week to discuss a possible move.

It is understood a meeting did take place but that it involved another, as yet, unidentified player. Last Thursday's meeting at the Royal Park hotel was arranged with a view to selling a player rather than buying one.

Despite that Chelsea will come under fresh pressure from Arsenal today as the club's vice-chairman David Dein steps up his inquiries into the Cole claims. The row comes at a delicate time when Arsenal are in negotiations with Cole about a new contract at Highbury.

Dein had a telephone conversation with Kenyon yesterday following reports of his meeting with Cole and they have arranged to speak again today.

Kenyon told Dein Chelsea were not planning to take legal action over allegations of an illegal approach even though the club refuse to dismiss the story publicly.