Premiership open Cole probe

The two-day Premier League inquiry into the alleged Ashley Cole 'tapping-up' affair will begin on Tuesday.
Defender Cole is reported to have met Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho and Blues chief executive Peter Kenyon in January while being under contract to Arsenal.

Cole has been charged under Rule K5, governing approaches from players to clubs, while Mourinho was charged under Rule Q, governing a manager's conduct.

Chelsea's charge relates to Rule K5 and governs clubs approaching players.

Left-back Cole's agent Jonathan Barnett is also supposed to have been at the meeting - along with 'super agent' Pini Zahavi - but they will not face any action for attending the meeting.

An earlier Premier League statement read: "As licensed agents, Mr Jonathan Barnett and Mr Pini Zahavi do not fall within the jurisdiction of the FA Premier League for the purposes of this matter."

Wenger hits out over Cole affair

The accounts of Cole, 24, and Chelsea into the matter are believed to differ and an inquiry was called after an initial investigation by the Premier League.

"For it to be suggested that I cynically set up a meeting with Chelsea and dragged them to it almost against their will is, quite frankly, ludicrous," said Barnett recently.

Lawyer Nick Fitzpatrick held the investigation and all parties are understood to have confirmed that a meeting did take place.

Mourinho has been quoted as saying: "The facts are there. I know nothing about it. I don't want to know. I'm not worried with it. My life is the same, trying to enjoy my work, my life. I've nothing else to say."

Arsenal vice-chairman David Dein commented: "When the News of the World broke the story, I spoke to Peter Kenyon, Pini Zahavi and Jonathan Barnett.

"They were all in denial. However, from the evidence I have seen so far, there is a huge credibility gap."

An independent three-man commission, whose chairman will be High Court judge Sir Philip Otton, will chair the hearing and its ruling will be binding under Premier League rules.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has stated his discontent at the timing of the hearing, which will take place as his side prepares to take on Manchester United in the FA Cup final on Saturday.

Reports have stated that Chelsea could suffer a points penalty if they are found guilty but a fine may be more a realistic option.

Liverpool were fined £20,000 for making an illegal approach to Christian Ziege, while he was at Middlesbrough in 2000, and the German international was fined £10,000.

More recently, Aston Villa were warned and ordered to pay costs for making an illegal approach to James Beattie in 2004.