Hodgson relieved by Cole apology

England boss Roy Hodgson today expressed his relief that Ashley Cole personally apologised to Football Association chairman David Bernstein for his offensive Twitter message.

Cole was charged with misconduct by the FA over his outburst on Friday, when he referred to the governing body as a “bunch of t****” in response to the independent regulatory commission’s damning judgement on his evidence in the John Terry racial abuse verdict.

Bernstein revealed this morning that Cole had apologised to him – and the chairman also stressed that it was down to Hodgson to decide whether the Chelsea full-back plays against San Marino in Friday’s World Cup qualifier.

Hodgson told a press conference at the official opening of the National Football Centre this afternoon, televised by Sky Sports News: “I’m pleased the chairman has gracefully accepted the apology from Ashley. I know how saddened he was by it and I’m glad it’s been resolved.”