This (decision) sends entirely the wrong message. English football have lost the message that a footballer is an employee, it is more like the master and servant of centuries ago,

There is no truth whatever in these allegations. Ashley Cole will not tolerate this kind of cowardly journalism or let it go unchallenged. It is disgraceful that he should be faced with this kind of unpleasant insinuation and innuendo.

There is no truth whatever in these allegations.

These proceedings will be vigorously and actively pursued.

The normal course is to exhaust the appropriate forums and those in these circumstances would be appeals to the Premier League and thereafter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

We will follow the appeal process and consider the appropriate forums for that appeal process,