Cole could be quizzed

Ashley Cole, the Arsenal and England defender at the centre of the alleged Chelsea tapping-up controversy, may be asked to give evidence whe...

Ashley Cole, the Arsenal and England defender at the centre of the alleged Chelsea tapping-up controversy, may be asked to give evidence when the Premier League arrange a date for their inquiry into the affair.

Both clubs have been asked for their views on the matter in advance of any hearing. If the Premiership’s governing body then feel there are grounds for a formal inquiry to be held Cole’s version of events will be sought, possibly in the form of a written testimony.

‘‘We are adjudicating, rather than prosecuting,’’ said a Premier League spokesman, who confirmed: ‘‘We have the power to call people in. Initially, we have written to both clubs and are awaiting their observations before deciding what action to take next.’’

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There have been calls for Chelsea to be docked points if they are found guilty of making an illegal approach and there are provisions within the Premier League regulations for an offending club to be expelled from the Premiership. It is logical to assume, however, that the Premier League will follow recent precedents they set when dealing with Aston Villa and Liverpool.

Villa were given an official reprimand after Southampton complained about an approach to James Beattie in advance of the England striker’s pounds 6.5 million move to Everton, while Liverpool were fined pounds 20,000 for making an illegal move for Middlesbrough’s Christian Ziege in 2000.

(The Daily Telegraph)

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