Soccer: Sex scandal threatens Cole

Ashley Cole will be fined and may even be suspended by Chelsea after the latest allegations concerning the England defender's private life.

The Premier League leaders are to consider the unprecedented step because Cole has apparently broken the club's strict code of conduct just days after it was laid out in no uncertain terms by chief executive Ron Gourlay last week.

Cole, who is sidelined with a fractured ankle, is to be called before an internal disciplinary hearing after the latest revelations about his private life, which include claims that he used unwitting club officials to cover up an alleged infidelity during the club's pre-season tour to America last northern summer.

The very least he can expect is a fine of two weeks' wages - £200,000 ($440,000).

The latest revelations came just four days after the players were given strict instructions to clean up their act. Gourlay held a meeting last Thursday at which he made it clear any more scandals would lead to severe disciplinary consequences.

The players were also issued with a letter that spelled out exactly what was required from them. Gourlay's name was on the letter, but it was made clear the order came from the club's owner, Roman Abramovich.

The Russian has had enough of hearing scurrilous stories about the private lives of Cole and the Chelsea captain, John Terry.

He ordered Gourlay to tell the whole squad that no one would be immune from club discipline, irrespective of their status, a warning clearly directed at Cole and Terry.

Gourlay also pointed out that there would be no leniency for any past misdemeanours that might come to light in the future.

The Chelsea hierarchy now have to show Abramovich they mean business, as the owner has made it clear to everyone at Stamford Bridge that the steady flow of seedy stories has to stop. Chelsea's stance about players' private lives has taken a quick reversal now that the owner has intervened.

The new rules were drawn up before Chelsea were aware of the latest revelations concerning Cole, 29. Sunday newspapers alleged that he sneaked a woman back to his hotel room during the club's pre-season tour to America last July.

Ann Corbitt, a 28-year-old local government worker, claimed she had an affair with Cole in Seattle and the player then used unsuspecting club officials to attempt to cover up the incident.

Chelsea are furious they have again been implicated in allegations concerning Cole's sex life. Last week it was alleged that members of the backroom staff helped Cole to smuggle secretary Vicki Gough into his hotel room before a game at West Bromwich Albion.

A club spokesman yesterday refused to discuss whether Cole would be punished, saying: "Disciplinary issues are an internal matter and will be dealt with internally. We never discuss them publicly."

Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti revealed on Saturday that the players had been told the club's name must not be dragged through the mud any more.

"We explained to them the behaviour that is required of the players in this club," Ancelotti said.

"Now they know very well what they have to do and what behaviour is expected of them when they're in the Chelsea shirt. The meeting was the owner's idea and Ron Gourlay spoke on his behalf. Everyone knows what they have to do to protect the image of his club."

Thursday's meeting with the players, attended by Gourlay and Ancelotti, came after Terry returned from a trip to Dubai where he patched things up with his wife, Toni, after revelations that he had an affair with one of her best friends, Vanessa Perroncel, the former partner of Manchester City and England fullback Wayne Bridge.

Terry was stripped of the England captaincy by Fabio Capello, the England manager, last month after details of the affair were published by newspapers despite Terry's attempts to keep the matter quiet with a "super injunction".

Terry has also been accused of selling his exclusive box at Wembley for £4000 a game via an associate of his management agents.

In addition the Chelsea captain was filmed by a Sunday newspaper offering to give a guided tour of Chelsea's training ground for £10,000, although the club insist Terry did not accept any money.

- INDEPENDENT