Re: Gareth Bale
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Last Updated: Tuesday, 26 September 2006, 14:57 GMT 15:57 UK
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Cole's agent handed FA suspension
Cole's agent Jonathan Barnett
Barnett has denied the charges against him
Agent Jonathan Barnett has had his licence suspended for 18 months and been fined £100,000 for his role in the Ashley Cole tapping-up affair.
An independent Football Association disciplinary commission found Barnett had breached two rules regarding illegal approaches in January 2005.
Nine months of Barnett's ban from acting as an agent have been suspended.
Barnett has denied any wrongdoing and his solicitor Graham Shear announced he would be lodging an appeal.
Shear said in a statement: "Following the sanction arrived at by the Football Association disciplinary tribunal I can confirm that I am instructed to lodge an appeal on the grounds that in the circumstances it is both excessive and disproportionate.
"It is hoped that this appeal will be heard as quickly as possible."
Cole - then of Arsenal - Chelsea and manager Jose Mourinho have already been punished for their role in the meeting.
England defender Cole and his agent Barnett met with Mourinho, Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon and agent Pinhas Zahavi at the Royal Park Hotel in London on 27 January 2005, while Cole was an Arsenal player.
The England full-back later signed a new contract with Arsenal but moved to Chelsea last month after a summer of protracted negotiations between the two clubs.
Barnett denied any wrongdoing but the commission found two misconduct charges against him proved - that he procured a breach of Premier League rule K5 regarding illegal approaches and that he was guilty of failing to respect the rights of a third party (Arsenal).
The commission said it was "wholly satisfied that Mr Barnett was a prime mover in the setting up of the meeting".
It added that the second nine months of Barnett's punishment will be suspended on condition that he does not, within the 18 month period, breach any Football Association rule.
Chelsea were fined £300,000 and handed a suspended three-point deduction when the Premier League investigated the case last year.
Mourinho and Cole were also fined £75,000 apiece, with Cole failing in an appeal against his punishment.
The FA said it does not have any jurisdiction over agent Zahavi, who was thought to be at the meeting to help broker a deal.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/5382332.stm