Chelsea defender Ashley Cole accidentally shot a 21-year-old student with .22
air rifle according to reports.
England defender Cole apparently turned up to at Chelsea's Cobham training
ground holding the weapon, complete with a muzzle and nightscope and
accidentally discharged the gun from a distance of 5ft.
Tom Cowan, a Loughborough University sports science student on a year's work
placement with Chelsea, was in the dressing room last Sunday when the
incident happened.
Medical staff at the state-of-the art facility tended to Cowan's wounds and he
was given two days leave to recover from the shock.
A dozen or so staff and, it is believed, a number of the first team squad,
witnessed the drama.
"Tom was sent home with swabs, lots of pads, dressing and gauzes,"
according to reports. "But 48 hours later the wound was still weeping
and needed further treatment."
On Wednesday, Cowan was called into a meeting with "deeply worried"
Chelsea officials in order to discuss the incident.
This is the second time in less than two years that Cobham has been involved
in controversy.
In December 2009, Chelsea captain John Terry was caught charging £10,000 in
cash to secure behind-the-scenes tours for various individuals without
manager Carlo Ancelotti's permission.
Terry later claimed the proceeds had been given to charity.
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