SOCCER:ASHLEY COLE issued public apologies to Alan Hutton and the referee Mike Riley last night for the ugly tackle that left the Tottenham Hotspur full back writhing on the turf just before half-time in Wednesday's fiercely competitive draw at White Hart Lane, as well as his dismissive reaction to the official as he was subsequently shown a yellow card.

The England defender will not face further sanction from the Football Association for the challenge, which was high and late as his left foot crunched into Hutton's right shinpad, after Riley opted to caution him for the offence.

Yet, while the challenge was horrific, Cole's reaction was just as deplorable. He claimed he had played the ball despite clearly only making contact with his opponent, and then refused three times to turn and face the referee as he awaited the card.

Chelsea, conscious that they have been fined twice by the FA this season for failing to control their players, were unimpressed with his show of petulance and took the opportunity to remind Cole of his responsibilities in the hope of avoiding a repeat of the furore in the future.

"I'm an emotional person," said the full back. "Things can happen on the pitch very quickly but I didn't mean to disrespect the referee. I recognise this is a part of my game that I need to work on and control."

The show of dissent was untimely given the FA's recent launch of the Respect the Referee programme, and with Fabio Capello in attendance at White Hart Lane. "Fabio knows what he wants from his players and he will get his message across," said Trevor Brooking, the FA's director of football development.

"You want your best players available for every game. You wouldn't want a player missing out on the latter stages of a tournament for being critical. Fabio is supportive of this."

Cole was just as apologetic for the challenge itself. "I'd like to apologise to anyone I offended and, of course, Alan Hutton who I tackled," he added.

"I didn't mean to go in hard that way. It was high, but I tried to read the ball and get the ball first, but he was a little bit too quick for me. It wasn't malicious and I'm a little disappointed with what people are saying, that I meant it. Of course it was a bad tackle, but in the heat of the moment you want to win the game and win every tackle, and as I said I'm sorry for Alan, but it was never meant."

Hutton has accepted Cole's version of events, the pair having spoken after the game. The Scot can empathise having snapped his own tibia and fibula after leaping into a rash challenge on Kilmarnock's Garry Hay in a game at Ibrox three years ago. The full back, who missed eight months as he recovered from the injuries, was booked as he was carried from the turf.

"I saw him when he went by and he said he never meant it, and that's fine for me," said the Scotland international. "I've seen it again and what can you do? That's football. He's gone in to win the ball, I've just got in there quick and sometimes that's what happens. I know it was up high but the ball was up high as well and he's gone for the ball. I've just nicked it away and I wouldn't blame him because I've probably done that in my career before, so it's not a problem. The game is played that quick that it can happen."

The challenge prompted a melee involving players and staff from both sides near the touchline, though Riley has not included any mention of Chelsea's livid reaction to the prospect of a card in his match report.

The official, too, can be thankful he will avoid a reprimand for failing to send Cole off despite enjoying an otherwise excellent game, but he has told match observers that his view of the incident was partially obstructed. That version has been accepted and he will officiate tomorrow's relegation match between Reading and Birmingham City as planned.

Meanwhile, Joe Cole has called for unity in the Chelsea set-up if the club are to maintain their Premier League title challenge after cracks appeared in the players' faith in manager Avram Grant during Wednesday's draw at Tottenham.

"We're a 24-man squad, it's been a long season with a lot of adversity and we can still come out of it with a trophy or two. We all need to stick together, we all need to fight and there's still a great chance for us to do something really special this season."