Mourinho to appeal

Chelsea have accepted their fine for "tapping up" Arsenal's Ashley Cole but their manager Jose Mourinho will appeal the verdict.

Chelsea were fined £300,000, Mourinho £200,000 and Cole £100,000 two weeks ago for having broken its rules on approaches to players under contract.

Chelsea, who initially said they would appeal, have now decided to accept the fine but said they would be backing Mourinho in his action.

Cole is also contesting the Premier League verdict, which was handed out after those involved met in a London hotel in January.

"Although at the time we indicated an appeal was likely, and we were advised there were strong grounds for one, the Chelsea board of directors came to the conclusion that the greater interests of football were served by the club drawing a line under the issue," the club said in a statement."