Premier League charge Chelsea, Mourinho and Cole

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

After considering the evidence gathered from their lawyer Nick Fitzpatrick into a meeting between Chelsea, Cole and his agent, Jonathan Barnett, at a London hotel, the Premier League have now charged both Chelsea and their manager, Jose Mourinho, as well as Cole with a breach of the competition rules.

A statement from the Premier League read: "On Sunday, February 6, the board of the FA Premier League launched a formal inquiry following allegations that Chelsea FC may have acted in breach of Premier League Rule K3 regarding approaches to players already contracted to another club.