Cole: I'm ready to fight on

Ashley Cole is set to launch a potentially devastating legal challenge to the Premier League's transfer laws if he is hit with a massive fine for his part in the Chelsea tapping-up scandal.

The Arsenal and England star is facing a penalty of around £250,000 for meeting Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon and manager Jose Mourinho at a London hotel in January.

A three-man Premier League commission headed by High Court judge Sir Phillip Otton was due to announce their findings later today.

They are expected to fine Chelsea and Cole for breaking the League's rules K5 and K3, which ban clubs and players from discussing transfers while under contract.

Whatever they decide it is unlikely to be the end of the controversy.

If Cole is found guilty of instigating the meeting Cole's lawyers Graham Shear and David Pannick QC will launch an immediate appeal.

They may also challenge the rules which stop players under contract from talking to other clubs in the European Courts, claiming they are out of line with the laws ordinary workers face.

Arsenal are also set to take legal action against Chelsea if they feel the punishment is too lenient, while the FA will open an inquiry into Cole's agent Jonathan Barnett once the verdict is announced.

Chelsea have insisted all along that they did not set up the meeting but are likely to accept a guilty verdict if Cole is also found guilty.

Cole, who returns today from England's our of America, is refusing to discuss terms on a new deal with Arsenal until the matter is closed.