Massive fines for all in Cole tap-up affair

Cole was fined 100,000, further threatening his relationship with Arsenal and with his lawyers vowing to contest the penalty, possibly even through the courts.

But while the blame for the secret meeting between Cole, Mourinho and Peter Kenyon was reserved for the agents involved, the harshest official criticism was reserved for Chelsea and their manager.

The three-man independent commission fined Chelsea 300,000, with a three-point deduction suspended in case of a repeat offence next season, and also docked Mourinho 200,000. The Premier League then condemned all parties in a no-holds barred statement as they outlined their record penalties, which were designed to act as a clear deterrent to others.

Chelsea were criticised for their "rash and dangerous course" of action in responding to an invitation from Cole’s agent, Jonathan Barnett, and their ‘fixer’, Pini Zahavi to a meeting. This had brought "the club into disrepute in the eyes of other Premier League clubs and the public alike", the commission ruled.

Mourinho was said to have acted in "blatant disregard" of his obligations under Premier League rules. He played a "pivotal role" in events leading up to the 27 January meeting, agreeing to join Kenyon when "he could and should have realised the implications of the secret meeting and declined to go".

Cole was found guilty of approaching Chelsea, although he was "manipulated to a large extent by his agent" and his "responsibility for the arrangements of the meeting was not of his direct making". This "irresponsible behaviour" was the "only blot on a hitherto exemplary professional career" but the commission still found that "he attended willingly and endorsed what his agent did and said".

Barnett and Zahavi were not able to be censured by the Premier League, who "recommended that the responsible bodies concerned should investigate their roles". That appeal brought immediate confirmation from the Football Association that they would be investigating Barnett’s actions and passing any information on Israeli-registered Zahavi to FIFA.

An FA spokesman revealed: "We are investigating Jonathan Barnett’s conduct in this matter and we will pursue any breach of FA regulations."

Indeed, that inquiry is just one of several reasons why this case is still far from over, even though Arsenal failed in their attempts to obtain compensation from Chelsea for their actions. Cole, who attended yesterday’s verdict after flying in from England’s tour to the US, is set to appeal, while Chelsea and Mourinho are likely to follow suit. After all, the fines dwarf the Premier League’s existing records - the 20,000 which Liverpool were ordered to pay for making an illegal approach to Christian Ziege, who was also fined 10,000.

And if either Chelsea or Cole lose their appeal, the matter could even end up in the courts, with the defender’s legal team determined to pursue his argument of restraint of trade. Arsenal are still hoping their full-back, who is contracted until 2007, can be persuaded to stay at Highbury and remain "fully committed to extending his contract with us."

However, Cole’s solicitor, Graham Shear, declared: "We are absolutely furious about both the decision and what appears to be a slightly disjointed or unrelated penalty that follows.

"We will be lodging an appeal immediately and, under instructions from Ashley, intend to pursue this to the fullest conclusion."

Chelsea chairman Bruce Buck added: "We are very disappointed, even shocked, particularly at the sanctions.

"The tribunal in its findings clearly said that Chelsea Football Club had been approached by agents on behalf of Ashley Cole. They then came to the conclusion that the fact we went to a meeting with Ashley Cole constituted an approach within the meaning of the rules. We disagree with that conclusion, we believe that attending the meeting did not go over the line."

Buck turned his fire on Arsenal for putting Cole through the "public spectacle" of a hearing. "Ashley Cole is a fine young man, he was caught up in this situation and he didn’t have to be," said Buck. "Two weeks ago Jose Mourinho was asked how he would react if [Chelsea defender] John Terry had been found to be in the green room with Arsenal and I thought Jose handled that beautifully. He said that he would have hauled the player in and said ‘what’s the problem, what are you unhappy about?’. And if it was a football-related issue he would have gone out of his way to resolve that problem because this was one of his best players.

"If there was a financial issue he would have said to Peter Kenyon and the Chelsea board ‘resolve the financial issue’.

"In this case, the player’s current club decided not to talk to him, not to try to resolve any issues, but made it into a public spectacle which I think was inappropriate, not in the best interests of that club, not in the best interests of that player and not in the interests of football."

Punishments are handed out: the FA Premier League statement in full

THE following is the Premier League statement following the issuing of punishments to Chelsea, Jose Mourinho and Ashley Cole in the tapping-up inquiry conducted by an independent commission.

On Ashley Cole:

"We consider it unacceptable that a player (and agent) should approach another club (their rival) in the Premier League - contrary to FAPL Rules and contrary to the expectations of Arsenal who were entitled to expect loyalty from a player who they have nurtured from boyhood to a glittering football career. Where there was still two-and-a-half years to run of a five-year contract: we recognise that Ashley Cole was manipulated to a large extent by his agent and that Ashley Cole’s responsibility for the arrangements of the meeting was not of his direct making.

"Nevertheless, he attended willingly and endorsed what his agent did and said.

"We accept that this is the only blot on a hitherto exemplary professional career, it is unlikely that Ashley Cole will ever be tempted to behave in this manner again.

"In imposing the fine we do, we intend that other players who may be tempted to act in a similar fashion will be deterred from such irresponsible behaviour.

"We impose a fine of 100,000."

On Chelsea FC:

"A club with the national and international standing enjoyed by Chelsea have a responsibility to behave meticulously within FAPL rules. These rules have been developed over many years and operate to the benefit of clubs and players alike and the good of the game.

"We consider it unacceptable that Chelsea Football Club saw fit to respond to an invitation extended by Pini Zahavi and Jonathan Barnett. It was a rash and dangerous course to take and was likely to, and did, bring the club into disrepute in the eyes of other Premier League clubs and the public alike.

"In imposing the sanction in which we now do, we intend to deter other clubs who may be tempted to act in a similar fashion.

"A fine of 300,000 and three points will be deducted, only to be activated in the event of a Rule K3 offence being committed during the 2005-06 Premier League season and at the discretion of the Disciplinary Commission dealing with that further offence."

On Jose Mourinho:

"Jose Mourinho played a pivotal role in the events leading up to and during the 27 January meeting. He agreed to accompany [Chelsea chief executive] Peter Kenyon, when he could and should have realised the implications of the secret meeting and declined to go.

"The presence of the manager was vital because he was the key component in the discussion.

"Managers are fully aware of their obligations under the Rules and he acted in blatant disregard of them. In imposing the penalty we now do, we aim to send a clear message to other managers that this conduct must not occur.

"Fine - 200,000."

On the agents:

"It is a matter of regret that two of the most involved participants are not eligible to be dealt with by this Disciplinary Commission. We recommend that the responsible bodies concerned should investigate the roles of the two agents Pini Zahavi and Jonathan Barnett."

On Arsenal:

"Arsenal Football Club wish to obtain compensation from Chelsea Football Club for damages and loss they claim to have suffered as a result of these offences. We decline to do so.

"We consider that the time has come when these two respected Premier League clubs should put this matter to rest and face each other next season in the spirit which is expected of them by the football public. To impose compensation would only keep the wound open and achieve nothing towards this end.

"Finally, it is still a matter of profound regret that this matter has disturbed a unique relationship between Arsenal Football Club and Ashley Cole. He is a most gifted footballer and hitherto his loyalty to Arsenal has never been questioned.

"Ashley Cole must also realise that Arsenal FC have been a major factor in the development of his brilliant career, without which he may not have reached the heights that he now enjoys.

"We express the hope that this relationship can be restored and that some accommodation can still be reached so that Highbury can continue to be adorned with his talents."

Drip-by-drip tap

Sunday, 30 January: News of the World report Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho, chief executive Peter Kenyon and Ashley Cole had a meeting in a London hotel. Chelsea agent Pini Zahavi was reported to have attended. Cole’s agent Jonathan Barnett denied the meeting took place.

Monday, 31 January: Arsenal chairman Peter Hill-Wood states his club are ready to investigate the allegations of secret transfer talks.

Tuesday, 1 February: Kenyon refuses to deny making an illegal approach for Cole, and insists his club are not "above the law".

Saturday, 5 February: The Premier League consult both Arsenal and Chelsea on the controversy, despite the absence of an official complaint. Arsenal vice-chairman David Dein releases a statement arguing there is "a huge credibility gap" between what Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon has told him and reports about the alleged meeting with Cole.

Sunday 6 February: Premier League officials start formal investigation.

Saturday, 12 March: Arsene Wenger rounds on Chelsea, accusing them of "tapping-up" Cole. "I am convinced that a meeting did take place - although that has not been confirmed," says the Arsenal manager.

Wednesday, 23 March: Chelsea, Mourinho and Cole charged by the Premier League. Officials cannot charge Barnett or Zahavi but pass on information to the Football Association.

Friday, 22 April: With Cole’s legal team understood to be considering a defence that players should be entitled to talk to other clubs at any time during their contracts, Wenger warns of "chaos" if they succeed.

Saturday, 14 May: Wenger looks beyond the hearing and plans contract talks with Cole: "After the case we will sit down with him and his agent about a new contract."

Tuesday, 17 May: Hearing into the case begins.

Wednesday, 18 May: The hearing concludes, with Cole and Barnett both understood to have given evidence.

Wednesday 1 June: Chelsea, Cole and Mourinho are all found to be in breach of Premier League rules by independent commission.