CARLO ANCELOTTI has revealed his anger and disappointment at the behaviour of Ashley Cole after the England left-back accidentally shot a work-placement student at the club’s training ground with an air rifle.
Yet, the Chelsea manager tempered his criticism by claiming the defender remains “one of the best professionals” with whom he has worked, and the club would support rather than “kill him” for his misdemeanour.
Cole will start this evening’s match against Manchester United having apologised to Tom Cowan, the 21-year-old intern who was shot in the side by the England defender with a .22 calibre air rifle in the changing room 10 days ago.
Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich and the club’s hierarchy were unimpressed to learn of the incident and said they would take “appropriate action” against the player. Having opted against dropping Cole from the first-team, they could fine him the maximum two weeks’ wages, amounting to around €250,000.
Surrey police will also seek an explanation for the event which took place on Sunday, February 21st, and left Cowan requiring treatment from the Chelsea medical staff.
The shooting prompted Ancelotti to say the training ground is “not out of control”, even though Cole had broken club rules, reportedly bringing the weapon on to the premises and then using it.
“I am angry, obviously,” said the Italian. “But to read that Cobham is out of control is totally wrong. I’ve been a manager for 20 years and one of the most important things is discipline. Players have to observe the rules.
“Ashley made a mistake. When he said sorry he was really disappointed (with himself). But what do we have to do now? Kill him? No. We have to support him. I maintain the same idea about him: he’s a good player, but a good man also. For this reason, we have to be fair.
“I hope to be fair with my players. I want to have a good relationship with them, but this does not mean there is no discipline here. It would be very different if he had not said ‘sorry’. He stepped over the line, but we have to support him.
“We are really disappointed also for the guy who was the victim in this. But things are not out of control.”
Ancelotti does not have a reputation for being a disciplinarian, and has always opted to put an arm around a player rather than take drastic action.
“I can say without problem that Ashley Cole is one of the best professionals I’ve met in my career. He is a fantastic player and one of the best left-backs in the world. He made a mistake, and who hasn’t made a mistake in his life?
“But we all have to take responsibility – the player and the club – for what has happened.”
Chelsea claimed that their own investigation into the matter was under way before the incident was exposed in a Sunday newspaper, and there was never any possibility that Cole’s €125,000-a-week contract at the club would be torn up.
GuardianService
