London, Dec 03: Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole has been handed a two-match ban and a fine by the Football Association (FA) here yesterday for his conduct during and after a mass brawl at Bolton last season.
England midfielder Cole will sit out two matches as of December 22 after the FA ruling, which also sees the former West Ham man slapped with a 15,000 pound (26,000 dollars) fine.
Cole, 22, was sanctioned under the FA's rules on misconduct. The charges relate to his involvement in the mass brawl on the pitch at Bolton's Reebok Stadium on April 19, for confronting the fourth official at the end of the game and for using abusive language.
West Ham, who lost the match 1-0, were relegated while Bolton stayed in the premiership.
Cole's new club Chelsea, whom he joined in the off-season, could appeal the decision although FA rules state that players are liable for their own conduct and not their clubs.



The ban means Cole will miss Chelsea's trip to Charlton on December 26 and their home match against Portsmouth two days later.


Bureau Report