Cole decision to be announced next week

The outcome of the Ashley Cole ‘tapping-up’ inquiry will not be made public until after Saturday’s FA Cup final, the independent commission hearing the case has stated this morning.

The process entered its second day at a London hotel after Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho and chief executive Peter Kenyon both attended yesterday before flying out to South Korea for a post-season friendly against Asian champions Suwon Bluewings.

Cole was also present yesterday but it is understood he was not questioned. It was thought he would attend today to give evidence but that may now not be the case.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has criticised the timing of the hearing, claiming it is hampering his preparations for Saturday’s FA Cup final against Manchester United, but following this morning’s announcement it appears there will be no further disruption until after the Millennium Stadium clash.

“The independent disciplinary commission have decided that, in respect of charges against Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho, Chelsea and Ashley Cole, no decision will made until a later date,” said a statement.

“The commission will inform the Premier League of this date after the weekend.”

Phillip Otton, the man leading the three-man commission, arriving this morning said: "It (the decision) depends on lots of factors but I suspect because it is a point of law we may have to defer it for a short period - not by the end of the week, next week.

“We have the evidence from Arsenal and we’ve got more evidence to come about the initial meetings. I don’t know whether Ashley Cole will give evidence again today.”

The charges handed out to Cole and Chelsea relate to a meeting in a London hotel in February.

Kenyon, Mourinho, agent Pini Zahavi, Cole and his advisor Jonathan Barnett were all in attendance and the gathering was, it is alleged, a breach of rules which govern contact with players contracted to another club.

Chelsea claim Cole and Barnett were responsible for instigating the meeting but Wenger backs the player’s version of events.