Probe into Ashley Cole ‘shooting’

Police to check ‘shooting’ claim

Police said they will talk to Chelsea following reports that Ashley Cole accidentally shot a work placement student

Police will speak to officials from Chelsea in the coming days following reports that defender Ashley Cole accidentally shot a work placement student at the football club’s training ground.

The club said it was taking “appropriate action” over the matter.

The News of the World reported that Cole did not know a .22 air rifle was loaded when he fired it at 21-year-old Tom Cowan.

It was reported that the sports science student, who is on a one-year work placement at Chelsea, was hit in the side by a lead pellet at the training ground in Cobham.

Chelsea’s medical staff reportedly treated the bleeding wound and Cowan did not require hospital treatment.

A club statement read: “We have fully investigated the incident and we are taking appropriate action. We will not be commenting further as it is an internal matter.”

A Surrey police spokesman said: “We can confirm that while no direct allegation has been made to Surrey police, the matter has been brought to our attention through reports in the media, and we will be contacting the club in due course to establish whether any criminal offence has been committed.”