ASHLEY Cole’s agent Jonathan Barnett has been fined £100,000 (€149,000) and had his licence suspended after being declared “a prime mover” in fixing the infamous meeting between the England defender and Chelsea.

ARSENE WENGER does not believe Ashley Cole will lose any focus after the England defender launched legal action against two newspapers following gay sex allegations.

Ashley Cole’s lawyer today denied gay sex allegations and said it was “disgraceful” the England star should face such “insinuation and innuendo” before his wedding to Girls Aloud singer Cheryl Tweedy.

LEADING football agents were last night unanimous in their criticism of Luton manager Mike Newell following his claims a bung culture remained rife in the game - which they described as a "disgraceful practice."

Ashley Cole will take his battle against the Premier League’s guilty verdict against him in the tapping-up affair with Chelsea to the highest authority in sport.

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 will take his battle against the Premier League’s guilty verdict over the tapping-up affair with Chelsea to the highest authority in sport.

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.

The Premier League remain hopeful of hearing Ashley Cole’s appeal against his fine for making an illegal approach to Chelsea before the start of the new season.

SO Bob Geldof has announced another mega-bash to help the impoverished people of Africa; it looks like I picked a bad week to try and organise a whip-around for Ashley Cole.

ARSENAL are “fully committed” to extending Ashley Cole’s contract with the club.

Mark Bradley

Sprinter Dwain Chambers is continuing to protest his innocence after being found guilty of failing a drugs test and banned from the sport for two years.

A 17-year-old girl who accused two Premiership footballers of taking part in an alleged “gang rape” was today considering a civil action after the Crown Prosecution Service announced they would not be charged due to “insufficient evidence”.

TWO Premiership footballers questioned over an alleged “gang rape” of a 17-year-old girl will not be charged, it was reported yesterday.

Two Premiership footballers questioned by police investigating the alleged “gang rape” of a 17-year-old girl will not be charged, it was reported today.

DWAIN CHAMBERS’ future hung in the balance last night following reports that his B sample test for the new designer steroid THG was positive.

Former Olympic champion Lord Coe today warned Dwain Chambers that ignorance is no defence in his battle to clear his name after a positive drugs test.

DWAIN CHAMBERS insisted last night he was no drugs cheat after he became the most high-profile British athlete in history to test positive.