Chelsea, Mourinho and Cole ALL Guilty

By BlueBlood
June 1 2005

The Commission investigating the ‘Ashley Cole tapping-up’ complaint has found Chelsea, José Mourinho and Cole all in breach of Premier League rules.

A statement issued by Sir Phillip Otton, chair of the independent commission was handed out.

"As a result of an official complaint by Arsenal FC, the Premier League appointed an Independent Commission made up of Sir Phillip Otton QC (chair), Mr David Dent and Mr Malcolm George, to consider alleged breaches of Premier League rules.

"The Commission today convened to communicate their judgement to the parties.

"Chelsea FC were found to be in breach of Rule K3 which prohibits a club making an approach to a Contract Player either directly or indirectly without first obtaining permission of the club to which he is under contract.

"Ashley Cole was found to be in breach of Rule K5 which states that a Contract Player, either by himself or by any other party acting on his behalf, shall not either directly or indirectly make any approach to a club with a view to negotiating a contract without obtaining the prior written consent of the club to which he is under contract.

"José Mourinho (the manager of Chelsea FC) was found to be in breach of Rule Q governing managers’ conduct.

"The Premier League respects the decision of the Commission and is satisfied that due process has been diligently followed with the full co-operation of all parties involved.

"Sir Phillip Otton and his fellow Commissioners are presently taking statements of mitigation before deciding the appropriate sanctions. A statement detailing these shall follow in due course.

"Parties have 14 days in which to appeal."

At the end of the day, this whole saga is quite laughable. Simply because this was brought into the public domain in February and it has taken all this time to convene, hear evidence and conclude. The likeliest punishments are going to be BIG fines all round. I mean they can hardly 'dock' Ashley Cole points..... can they?????