Agent Barnett requests FA hearing over Cole case

Jonathan Barnett, the agent for Ashley Cole, has requested a personal hearing from the English Football Association, denying charges of rules violations.
 
The issue is Barnett’s alleged involvement in a January 2005 meeting between Chelsea representatives and Cole, who plays for Arsenal. Cole, Chelsea and Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho were fined.
 
Barnett has also been accused of breaching FIFA’s code of conduct governing players’ agents. The code requires agents to respect third party rights, in this case, those of Arsenal. Barnett was charged by the FA under Rule E1 (e) which covers breaches of the rules of leagues affiliated to the FA.
 
It is alleged he brought about a breach by Cole of Premier League Rule K5 which relates to illegal approaches to clubs by players under contract.
 
No date has yet been set for Barnett's hearing.
 
Chelsea were fined GBP 300,000 and given a suspended three-point deduction last year. Mourinho and Cole were fined GBP 75,000 apiece, with Cole failing in his appeal against his fine. All three were said to have breached league rules by meeting without Arsenal’s knowledge.
 
Chelsea were found guilty of breaking Premier League rule K3, forbidding them from approaching Cole while he was under contract. Cole was found to be in breach of rule K5, which stopped him from approaching Chelsea with a view to negotiating a transfer without permission from Arsenal.