Filed under: Chelsea, Football
Even by Ashley Cole's bizarre standards of courting negative publicity, off the field more than on it, the latest tabloid headlines surrounding the Chelsea left back have truly stretched the bounds of credibility.The News of the World has alleged that Cole accidentally shot a 21-year-old work placement student while "larking around" with an air rifle at the club's training ground.
Cole, claims the story, was not aware that the gun was loaded but the student, named as Tom Cowan, was shot from five feet away and was left in "agony ... and bleeding profusely."
The story goes on to claim that the police were not called as Cowan was treated by Chelsea medical staff and the club subsequently held meetings with the young man and his father, 51-year-old quantity surveyor Ron.
The News of the World story is littered with quotes from an "inside source" but the painstaking detail paints a picture that will add to the cloud that has been hovering over Stamford Bridge for many months.
Although no gun licence is required to own the rifle in question - a .22 calibre gun - the News of the World was at pains to point out, quite accurately, that any such weapon can kill or maim if used incorrectly.
The question is also raised as to why any professional footballer - or any person, in general - would wish to take a loaded weapon with him into the work place.
The NBA in the United States reacted severely when Washington Wizards star player Gilbert Arenas was discovered to have an unlicensed pistol in his locker at the club's training ground last year, suspending him for the remaining four months of the season without pay. He was also convicted in court for firearm possession and given a two-year suspended jail sentence.
However, there is no suggestion that Cole's alleged antics are the subject of any disciplinary action at this stage.
Of course, the News of the World is no stranger to lifting the lid on controversy at Stamford Bridge after their story two years ago that captain John Terry was receiving cash for organising behind-the-scenes tours of the ground.
And Cole, himself, has never strayed far from the wrong sort of headines, most notably in the build-up to, and throughout, his very public splt from celebrity wide Cheryl Cole.
For now, Chelsea have refused to respond, saying only: "We never comment on internal matters."
But, on its back page, the News of the World transfers the story into the sporting domain and paints a picture of a Chelsea dressing room that is teetering out of control.
The Cole incident, which the newspaper alleges took place just 24 hours after his penalty miss against Everton saw his club exit the FA Cup, has reportedly infuriated owner Roman Abramovich who is said to have ordered a full investigation and - in tabloid parlance - "read the riot act" once and for all to his players.
And, whatever the full story behind this latest incident, the affair cannot have helped the cause of manager Carlo Ancelotti who is under increasing pressure at the club.
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