Sky Sports are reporting that the police have yet to interview Ashley Cole or any of the individuals involved in the alleged use of an air rifle at Chelsea's training ground, at Cobham. A spokesman for Surrey Police said on Monday they had been in contact with Chelsea to establish whether any criminal offences have taken place.
No formal allegation has been made following a report in the News of the World that Tom Cowan, a 21-year-old sports science student at Loughborough University on a work placement at Chelsea, had been hit by a lead pellet fired from an air rifle.
It's believed the incident took place at Cobham, on private property, and the air rifle was not fired in a public place.
Sources close to the England left-back say the matter was blown out of proportion, reports about Cowan's injuries were exaggerated and Cole did not own the air rifle.
The headmaster at Cowan's former comprehensive school spoke of his dismay at the incident.
"I'm appalled by this." Paul Strong, headmaster at William Farr School, told Sky Sports News HD. "Anyone in a position like you or me would have been arrested and put into custody. A two-week fine is just peanuts."
A spokesperson for Loughborough University said: "We are aware of the reports that Tom Cowan has been injured in an alleged incident involving an air rifle at Chelsea Football Club's training ground. Tom is currently on a year's work experience at Chelsea.
"We are in contact with both the Club and Tom and have offered him and his family every possible support from the University. We understand that Tom is recovering well, but we cannot comment on the nature of his injuries or on any aspect of the alleged incident."
