Chelsea Use the Old Russian Halter Gambit

By Boris Mellor
March 12 2005

Chelsea are using the old Russian Halter Gambit in the Cole tapping up affair. Roman Abramovich brings this Russian skill, as well as his roubles, to the club. However Roman needs to know that the gambit failed in Russia, as it will in this case.

What is the Halter Gambit? According to an old Russian peasant joke a serf was caught red handed stealing a Nobles stallion. The judge was amazed when the serf pleaded not guilty to stealing the horse. "How can you plead not guilty", the judge enquired? You were caught red handed with the horse's halter in your hands.

"Yes that is true", replied the peasant, "I am guilty of stealing the halter, the horse just happened to come along".

In other words the old lesser offence trick to get off the greater crime. The serf had plenty of time to reflect in a Tsarist prison.

So Chelsea want to plead guilty to the fact that Ashley initiated the meeting, they just happened to come along. So the fact that Ashley is in breach of his contract, and FA rules is true; but that still leaves Chelsea in breach of rule K3 - an illegal approach. So Arsenal are in the clear, Ashley and Chelsea are not.

Also it would appear that we have had more weasly words from Moanrhino - the Guardian claim he was at the meeting.

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