By Boris Mellor
June 1 2005

The Premiership have found all three guilty as charged in the tapping up of Ashley Cole enquiry. All three are guilty of breaking the rules by meeting when Cole is still under contract to Arsenal.

 Cole fined £100,000

Chelsea AFC Fined £300,000 and a 3 point deduction next season if any subsequent offence.

Mourinho fined £200,000

Recommend that Agents are investigated.

It was admitted that Cole had been manipulated, but he had gone to the meeting willingly. Cole had a previously exemplary career, otherwise the fine might have been even higher.

The fine on Chelsea and Mourinho are even higher demonstrating that Chelsea played the pivotal role. This might be peanuts to the Chelski Billionaire, but it shows that the Premiership is determined to enforce the rules. The three points deduction, suspended, could be deducted if Chelsea re-offend. They wont be able to claim they dont know what the punishment might be.

Hopefully the agents will also be dealt with by the appropriate associations.

Cole's lawyer is furious over the decision, and still disputes the evidence, and complained about the restraint of trade.

Cole's lawyer claims Ashley will "fight on" and will be disputing the decision in the courts as he considers it a restraint of trade and the right of pursuing his career. They will also be appealing against the Premiership fine and decision. His argument being that other employees can make enquiries about employment opportunities while still under contract. That footballers in the rest of Europe can behave this way. Pass the sickbag.