Cole says sorry for swearing at police
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Chelsea star 'Trashley' Cole arrested after drunken 2am confrontation with police
Arrest: The Collection Bar
Chelsea star Ashley Cole was arrested early today after a drunken confrontation with police - handing boss Guus Hiddink a test to his reputation as a tough disciplinarian.
The Dutch coach must decide how to handle the 28-year-old, who was detained following a foul-mouthed rant at officers in west London.
The incident comes as his club are preparing for Saturday's FA Cup quarter-final at Coventry, while Chelsea are also chasing Manchester United in the Barclays Premier League and looking for glory in the Champions League.
Hiddink has reinvigorated Chelsea, leading them to four consecutive victories since taking over as head coach, and the players had been on their best behaviour and displaying a unity lacking under Luiz Felipe Scolari.
But Hiddink will no doubt be alarmed that one of his top stars should be inebriated so close to a big game. Sources claimed the £82,000 a week England international repeatedly swore at police after emerging from the Collection nightclub in Brompton Road, South Kensington.
After apparently refusing to tone down his language, he was detained and taken to a police station to sober up. After spending three hours in a custody suite, he was issued with an £80 fixed penalty notice for being drunk and disorderly and allowed to go home. Earlier he had been pictured at a nearby charity event with ex GMTV presenter Fiona Phillips.
This charming man: Cole gestures to Arsenal fans in December 2007
It is not the first time that Cole, undoubtedly one of the best full backs in the world, has hit the headlines for the wrong reasons. He was ridiculed for comments criticising his former club Arsenal in his 2006 autobiography.
A year ago he was criticised for the petulant way he confronted referee Mike Riley during Chelsea's fiery 4-4 draw with Tottenham at White Hart Lane. Cole fouled Alan Hutton before remonstrating at length with the official about the incident, at one point turning his back on Riley in an incident that heightened the need for the Premier League's Respect Campaign.
His marriage to Girls Aloud singer and X Factor judge Cheryl Cole was put under huge strain last year over allegations of his infidelity.
Star spotting: Cole and GMTV presenter Fiona Phillips during last night's charity event
The former Arsenal player was branded a love rat by hairdresser Aimee Walton, who claimed he cheated Cheryl following a drunken night out with his footballing friends in late 2007.
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lol@ cashley cole
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pfft
now he chut stunts....
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Hiddink to let Cole off the hook
ARREST ... Ashley Cole
ASHLEY COLE is likely to escape further punishment after his arrest for drunk and disorderly conduct.
Chelsea have traditionally not fined players for incidents on or off the field. And they will leave any action on this matter to the discretion of manager Guus Hiddink.
Club rules state that England ace Cole, 28, can be fined two weeks’ wages — £164,000 in his case. But sources close to the Dutch boss last night said he would not make an example of Cole.
The Chelsea insider told SunSport: “Guus is only here for short time so if the way of the club is not to fine players, why should he change it?”
Left-back Cole is expected to be in the squad for tomorrow’s FA Cup match at Coventry City. He was arrested outside a west London bar for swearing at police officers who moved to calm a row between Cole and photographers. Cole was fined £80 and last night apologised for his behaviour.
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Cole says sorry for swearing at police.
Ashley Cole has apologised to the police for a X-rated tirade that caused him to be arrested for drunk and disorderly conduct.
In a statement released by the Chelsea left-back, Cole said he swore out of his frustration with the paparazzi and insisted he would never disrespect the police.
However, the England international admits he did not heed their warnings to calm down and regrets not taking their advice. He also made it clear that he had not consumed a vast amount of alcohol.
Cole declared: "I would like to take this opportunity to apologise to the police officers on duty last night for my language.
"I felt I was being harassed by paparazzi and while complaining to the police about this at the scene they did warn me to calm down, a warning that I regrettably did not heed.
"I fully appreciate that whatever frustrations I may have had with others that it was completely inappropriate to vent those in conversations with the police.
"However, I do want to make clear that I swore in frustration at the paparazzi's behaviour. I would never disrespect police officers in anyway.
"I take very seriously my responsibilities as a professional footballer, this includes keeping my body in the best condition.
"Although I had consumed some alcohol earlier in the evening on a night out with friends it had not been excessive.
"But I accept that the language I used on this occasion was wrong. I regret my actions and how it reflects on myself and Chelsea Football Club."
The 28-year-old was arrested in Brompton Road, South Kensington, at about 2.15am on Thursday morning after emerging from the Collection nightclub.
Police sources said the officers were already on patrol in the street and were not called to any disorder.
One source denied reports they were following up a complaint from a photographer over an alleged bust-up with Cole.
Cole was taken to a central London police station and issued with an £80 fixed penalty notice for being drunk and disorderly before being released shortly after 5.30am.
Cole is likely to be fined by Chelsea.
The Collection nightclub is a popular haunt on the west London celebrity scene.
Before his arrest last night, Cole had joined Chelsea's first-team squad and more than 300 charity workers, celebrities and supporters for the second annual Chelsea FC and Armani charity fundraiser.
Cole, who racked up a £1,000 bill at the restaurant with team-mates Terry and Michael Mancienne, was "rude" to police after getting frustrated by waiting paparazzi, Mr Maraj revealed.
The manager said the trio had "behaved well" before someone apparently took a picture of Cole inside the restaurant.
The three players enjoyed a range of drinks, some of which may have been bought for them by other guests, he added.
"People were coming up to them during dinner, men and women. They seemed happy and quite polite - all the players came for a quiet night."
Revealing how Princes William and Harry were previously regular guests at the bar, Mr Maraj added: "I believe there was a photographer inside who took a picture of Cole.
"He (Cole) was more frustrated than being drunk, because of paparazzi - it must have been something.
"My staff told me he stopped to speak to police as he left. He was apparently complaining about paparazzi. My staff said he was being rude to the police."
He added that the Chelsea players regularly visited his venue and always behaved well.
Cole ate a Japanese steak costing £50, he added.