ASHLEY COLE’S legal team admit it is “very likely” they will take a restraint of trade case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport after losing their appeal against his guilty verdict in the tapping-up row with Chelsea.

Ashley Cole’s legal team admits it is “very likely” they will take a restraint of trade case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport after losing their appeal against his guilty verdict in the tapping-up row with Chelsea.

Mark Bradley

Jose Mourinho and Chelsea have been found guilty of ‘tapping up’ Ashley Cole at a hotel meeting in which the England and Arsenal defender was deemed a compliant participant.

The Premier League inquiry into Chelsea’s alleged tapping-up of Ashley Cole was today set to deliver a landmark verdict, with potential consequences for the entire game.

CHELSEA could face one of the biggest financial penalties ever handed out in football when the verdict is announced today over their alleged illegal approach for Ashley Cole.

THE Premier League last night started the process of appointing an independent disciplinary commission into Chelsea’s alleged ‘tapping up’ of Ashley Cole.

An independent disciplinary commission is expected to be appointed by the Premier League within the next few days to deal with Chelsea’s alleged 'tapping up' of Ashley Cole.

ASHLEY COLE could be asked to give evidence at an investigation by the Premier League into allegations that Chelsea made an illegal approach for the Arsenal defender.

Ashley Cole could be asked to give evidence at an investigation by the Premier League into allegations Chelsea made an illegal approach for the Arsenal defender.

Aston Villa have been charged by the Premier League for making an alleged illegal approach for Southampton striker James Beattie this summer.

Tottenham this morning announced an operating loss of £1.189m (€1.7m) for the year ending June 30, 2004.

New Tottenham coach Jacques Santini is bracing himself for a rude awakening in his first season in the Premiership – with or without Owen Hargreaves.

BRAZILIAN star Ronaldinho has signed a lucrative new deal with Barcelona as the club aim to ward off bids from European rivals.

German international Christian Ziege has signed a two-year deal with Borussia Monchengladbach after being released by Tottenham.

Christian Ziege has vowed to impress coach Rudi Voller following his late call-up to represent Germany at the European Championships.

Former Tottenham defender Christian Ziege has thanked the club’s fans for giving him an emotional send-off.

Wolves 0 Tottenham 2

Tottenham full-backs Stephen Carr and Mauricio Taricco have been ruled out of the final game of the season against Wolves tomorrow.

Tottenham hope to soon wrap up the signing of Paul Robinson from Leeds after new talks between the two clubs over the England goalkeeper.

Tottenham have begun a clear-out at White Hart Lane with Darren Anderton, Christian Ziege and Gus Poyet all being released at the end of the season.

Stephen Carr returns to the Tottenham squad for tomorrow’s visit of Blackburn after completing a three-match suspension.

Stand-in boss David Pleat will bank on two of his own signings to save Tottenham the indignity of allowing fierce rivals Arsenal to clinch the Premiership crown in tomorrow’s North London derby at White Hart Lane.

Everton 3 Spurs 1

ROBBIE KEANE will be hoping to add to his tally of four goals in his last two games against Everton when Tottenham visit Goodison Park tomorrow night.

EVERTON will still be without Wayne Rooney who completes the second game of a two-match ban, while Duncan Ferguson begins a four-match ban. David Weir completes a three-match suspension and Peter Clarke still has two matches of his ban to go.

Robbie Keane will be hoping to add to his tally of four goals in his last two games against Everton when Tottenham visit Goodison Park tomorrow night.

Tottenham skipper Jamie Redknapp is set to lead his team in tomorrow’s clash at Everton despite having 20 stitches in a facial wound last weekend.

Tottenham 0 Chelsea 1

Tottenham will be hoping defenders Steve Carr and Gary Doherty recover from injuries picked up on international duty in time to face Chelsea at White Hart Lane tomorrow.

Gary Doherty has found the perfect silver lining to his recent defensive storm cloud by signing a new contract with Tottenham.

A High Court clash between Liverpool and Middlesbrough later this month has been averted after the two clubs reached an agreement over Christian Ziege’s acrimonious transfer to Anfield.

Tottenham travel to Middlesbrough in the Barclaycard Premiership tomorrow refreshed from a break in Dubai but with mixed news on the injury front.

Frederic Kanoute is back in the Tottenham squad for Sunday’s visit of Leicester in the Premiership after returning from African Nations Cup duty with Mali.

Tottenham 3 Manchester City 4

Darren Anderton and Mauricio Taricco have been ruled out of Tottenham’s trip across London to face Fulham tomorrow.

Tottenham will again be without the suspended Gustavo Poyet for Sunday’s FA Cup clash at Manchester City.

Middlesbrough have played down reports they have entered into talks with Liverpool striker Emile Heskey over a move to Teesside.

EMILE HESKEY has been told he must maintain his improved form as his Liverpool future has come under scrutiny again.

Mauricio Taricco and Anthony Gardner return to the Tottenham squad for tomorrow’s visit to Leeds United.

Tottenham are hoping for more goals from Fredi Kanoute to lift them away from the relegation zone when Birmingham visit White Hart Lane tomorrow night.

Simon Davies, the Welsh midfielder who has not played for Tottenham since August, is back in the squad for their crunch FA Cup third round tie against London neighbours Crystal Palace at White Hart Lane tomorrow.

Tottenham boss David Pleat hopes to include Darren Anderton for the Barclaycard Premiership clash with Charlton at White Hart Lane.

Midfielders Darren Anderton and Stephane Dalmat both face fitness tests as Tottenham boss David Pleat considers his options for his side’s Boxing Day trip to Portsmouth.