Cole verdict expected after Final

The outcome of Ashley Cole's tapping-up inquiry will not be made public until after Saturday's FA Cup Final.

Cole's preparations for the fixture faced further disruption today when he was expected to attend the hearing in central London for a second day only 72 hours before the Manchester United game.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has criticised the hearing for its timing but will be pleased that the Premier League inquiry will not deliver a verdict until next week.

The tribunal is considering allegations that Chelsea made an illegal approach for the defender.

But, in a twist, Cole's lawyer Graham Shear has criticised Wenger. The lawyer has challenged rule K5, which prevents contracted players from making approaches to other clubs, as a restraint of trade - a rule defended by Wenger.

Shear described his views as "inappropriate and misguided".