FA chairman says Cole free to play for England
BURTON-UPON-TRENT, England (AP) — Ashley Cole will escape a playing ban from England in the upcoming World Cup qualifiers despite insulting the Football Association in a Twitter post.
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The Chelsea left back apologized in person to FA chairman David Bernstein on Monday for reacting angrily after a commission set up by the governing body questioned the evidence Cole gave in defending John Terry in a racism case.
"He expressed a degree of remorse for what he had done, wished it hadn't happened," Bernstein said Tuesday. "I looked him in the eye and really felt that he meant it."
Cole has been charged with misconduct by the FA and is expected to be fined. But he is free to play for England in the match Friday against San Marino and the away game in Poland on Tuesday — if selected by coach Roy Hodgson.
"His contrition is greater because he realizes that he might have put his position in jeopardy — and I'm very happy he hasn't done that," Hodgson said. "I'm pleased the chairman has gracefully accepted the apology from Ashley. I know how saddened he was by it and I'm glad it's been resolved."
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