Zola appeals for disgraced four

Gianfranco Zolatoday urged forgiveness for the four Chelsea players who went on a drinking binge.

As the London club flew out for tomorrow?s UEFA Cup match against Levski Sofia in Bulgaria, Zola became the first player to discuss the affair.

He said: ? The matter belongs to the past.?

Icelandic international Eidur Gudjohnsen and England Under-21 internationals Frank Lampard, John Terry and Jody Morris went on an alcohol-fuelled spree of misbehaviour in a Heathrow hotel when it was full of worried and grieving Americans.

The players were fined two weeks? wages by the club, but were selected for Sunday?s match against Middlesbrough ? hours after their shameful behaviour had been revealed by the News of the World newspaper.

Today Zola, the Chelsea vice-captain and one of the most respected footballers in the country, said he had episodes in his own life which he would not want publicised. He told Standard Sport: ?Everybody makes mistakes, but they have paid the price and it was a heavy one in financial terms.

?They know what they?ve done. They didn?t mean to cause anybody any offence, but obviously they did so.

?Now they have paid with their own money and it will go to a good cause.

?The players have been reprimanded and we have had a chat about things as players.

?We are responsible for things like this and they know that now. They didn?t want to cause any problem, it is as simple as that.?