Spineless! FA fail to punish Wayne Rooney and Chelsea let Ashley Cole off after shooting an intern

01 March 2011 11:54
On a day when English football should be relishing the prospect of a crunch encounter between Chelsea and Manchester United, the focus is instead back on the battered image of the game. [LNB]The controversy concerns two players who will meet at Stamford Bridge this evening. Wayne Rooney, who somehow escaped a Football Association ban for elbowing Wigan's James McCarthy on Saturday, and Ashley Cole, who has been cleared to play by his club despite shooting an intern with a gun he brought into Chelsea's training ground. [LNB]At that training ground in Cobham yesterday, Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti launched an astonishing defence of his player, even if he did admit he was 'angry' and that the England left back would be disciplined. He said he was 'disappointed' that 21-year-old Tom Cowan had been shot. [LNB]Read Matt Lawton's verdict on Chelsea's leniency towards Ashley ColeRead Ian Ladyman's damning criticism of the FA's lack of action All smiles: Wayne Rooney and Ashley Cole both take in a training session ahead of Tuesday's clash[LNB] Surrey Police are taking a more serious view and have now made contact with Chelsea as part of their investigation into the incident. 'Surrey Police officers have today been in contact with Chelsea Football Club and are continuing inquiries to establish whether any criminal offences have taken place,' said a spokesman. [LNB]'When he said sorry he was really disappointed,' said Ancelotti of Cole, having joked at one stage that the gun was now at his house. 'What do we have to do now? Kill him? No. We have to support him. It would be very different if he had not said sorry. We are stepped over the line, but we have to support him. We're really disappointed for the guy who was a victim of this.' [LNB]While Ancelotti insisted it was not his job to crack down on the general behaviour of his players, he insisted they are not 'out of control'. [LNB]'If things happen in the training ground, mistakes, then I have to take action,' he said. 'But to read that Cobham is out of control is wrong. I've been a manager for 20 years and one of the most important things is discipline. [LNB] Ouch: Rooney catches Wigan's James McCarthy with his elbow[LNB] 'One player made a mistake. To everyone he said sorry. First, to the guy who was involved. Second, to his team-mates. Third, to the club, what he has to do. [LNB]But now I have to explain this is not a good thing to do. '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. [LNB]'We'll take a decision and we don't want to talk about that. It's an internal matter. Ashley made a mistake. The mistake was that the gun was here. Now we're taking proper action because he stepped over the line. [LNB]'But, tomorrow, he will play and he's focused.' Ancelotti said he had no objection to Rooney playing this evening. 'If these are the rules, and the FA decided this, I am happy to play against Rooney,' he said.[LNB][LNB] VIDEO: So why does United defender Vidic struggle with Torres? Drogba sidelined for Man United clash as Torres prays for his first Chelsea goalAll the latest Man United news, features and opinionAll the latest Chelsea news, features and opinion[LNB]  Explore more:People: Wayne Rooney, James McCarthy, Ashley Cole, Carlo Ancelotti Places: United Kingdom Organisations: Chelsea Football Club, Football Association

Source: Daily_Mail