Cole faces fine threat

14 April 2012

Ashley Cole faces a hefty fine if he is proven to have been involved in covert transfer talks with Chelsea.

The Premier League are investigating reports of a secret meeting between the Arsenal defender and Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon and head coach Jose Mourinho at a London hotel two weeks ago.

While the thrust of this "tapping-up" probe will be an alleged breach of Premier League rule K3 - approaching a player under contract to another club - by Chelsea, it could also be extended to cover Cole's behaviour.

Another Premier League rule, K5, states that "a contracted player, either by himself or by any other party acting on his behalf, shall not either directly or indirectly make any approach to a club with a view to negotiating a contract without obtaining the prior written consent of the club to which he is under contract".

Cole's agent, Jonathan Barnett, was also reported to have been present at the afternoon meeting.

Three years ago, Christian Ziege was fined £10,000 for breaking this rule after a Premier League commission investigated the circumstances surrounding his transfer from Middlesbrough to Liverpool in 2000.

On that occasion, Boro reported Liverpool and Ziege to the Premier League for collaborating without their knowledge. Both the club and the leftback were found guilty by an independent commission, with Liverpool fined £20,000.

If Cole is found guilty of breaching rule K5, it could turn out to be the most expensive cup of tea in Premiership history, with Arsenal also having strong grounds for internal disciplinary proceedings.

On top of any Premier League fine, this could see the England full-back docked a maximum of two weeks' wages - around £54,000.

But that will become insignificant if he joins Chelsea. He is reported to have been offered a deal worth £80,000 a week with immediate effect.

Cole will get the chance to defend himself if and when the Premier League set a date for a hearing into the affair. They have until 24 February to respond to the League's request for information. According to fresh reports today, Chelsea and Cole are likely to defend themselves against any charges by arguing the player was not in fact present at the meeting.

Following a formal complaint against Chelsea by Arsenal, the League have written to both clubs for their observations.

Once those responses are gathered, the League are likely to set up a threeman independent commission, made up of lawyers and experienced football arbitrators.

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Cole faces fine threat

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