UNITED KINGDOM: FOOTBALL/SOCCER - Carlo Ancelotti says Chelsea have taken "proper action" over air rifle incident

Record ID: 1519553

  • Title: UNITED KINGDOM: FOOTBALL/SOCCER - Carlo Ancelotti says Chelsea have taken "proper action" over air rifle incident
  • Date: 1st March 2011
  • Summary: LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM (MAY 16, 2010) - (REUTERS) **FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY THROUGHOUT** ASHLEY COLE (WEARING HOOD) AS CHELSEA CELEBRATE WINNING PREMIER LEAGUE
  • Embargoed: 15th March 2011 22:51
  • Keywords:
  • Location: United Kingdom, United Kingdom
  • Country: United Kingdom
  • Topics: Sport
  • Reuters ID: LVA1QMSV5RT1Q4U44GXMWOG7EX9K
  • Aspect Ratio: 4:3
  • Story Text: Chelsea have taken "proper action" against defender Ashley Cole after he accidentally shot an intern with a high-powered air rifle at their training ground, manager Carlo Ancelotti said on Monday (February 28).
    Police have said they are investigating newspaper reports that Cole shot a 21-year-old man, who was hit by lead pellets fired from an air rifle at the ground in Cobham, southwest of London, last week.
    Ancelotti, speaking before Chelsea host Premier League leaders Manchester United on Tuesday, declined to say what action Chelsea had taken against the England international, but told reporters : "Obviously, we are not happy with what happened. But I have spoken with him. He was very disappointed with this, said sorry, made a mistake. It was an accident.
    "We have taken proper action but tomorrow he will play.
    A Surrey police spokeswoman said earlier that while no direct allegation had been made, the matter had been brought to their attention through media reports.
    "We will be contacting the club in due course to establish whether any criminal offence has been committed," she said. Media reports said the 30-year-old defender had mistakenly shot the man using a .22 air rifle, the most powerful gun available without a licence in Britain.
    Club staff treated the man, identified as sports sciences student Tom Cowan who was on work placement with Chelsea, according to reports. He did not need hospital treatment.
    For the first time in years, Chelsea's prime concern in Tuesday's match will not be the title. Already 15 points behind leaders United and 11 adrift of second-placed Arsenal, Chelsea's hopes of retaining the title are long gone and instead they must focus on fighting it out with Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur for the remaining Champions League berths. Ancelotti acknowledged the importance of the game to both clubs. " A very important game for them, for us , a very important game for the future, " he said. " For the future of Manchester United, for the future of Chelsea, we are excited to play this game, I think that we arrive to play this game in a very good moment , we have confidence to do our best , we have confidence to win."
    He remains convinced that record signing Fernando Torres, who has yet to score for Chelsea, will soon find the net. " Obviously for a striker to score is very important, " he said " But in the last game (FC Copenhagen) he played really well , he had four opportunities to score in front of the 'keeper, he moved very well for the team.i was really happy about his performance, obviously I think he was not so happy, he would prefer to score, but he will score."
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