Ashley Cole makes personal apology to English FA chief over Twitter abuse

English Football Association chairman David Bernstein admits the Chelsea defender is unlikely to get the captain's armband for his impending 100th international cap.

Chelsea defender Ashley Cole

Ashley Cole has made a personal apology to David Bernstein, the chairman of the English Football Association, in a bid to defuse the continuing row over his Twitter outburst.

The Chelsea defender, who was charged by the English FA yesterday following his weekend comment, faces a wait to see if he will win his 99th cap against San Marino on Friday night.

The match comes just a day before a deadline for the fullback to answer his charge of misconduct, following an abusive message about the English FA in the wake of the John Terry racial abuse verdict.

But Bernstein revealed that Cole had followed up his apology to the FA on Friday with a personal apology last night.

"He apologised immediately on Friday and he came to see me last night and apologised to me personally," said Bernstein.

"He showed real contrition. He said he was really sorry.

"He is free to play for England over the coming matches. It is up to the manager to decide whether he plays or not."

Bernstein admitted, though, that the Chelsea fullback's actions meant he was unlikely to captain England for what could be his 100th cap against Poland next Tuesday.

Asked about the possibility of Cole being given the armband to mark the occasion, Bernstein said: "To be absolutely honest I doubt it. We've expressed a view on what we need with regard to a captain and I doubt it, but we'll see.

"We've had issues and we've stated publicly many times that we have a very high level of behaviour and so on and so forth required from an English captain."

Bernstein also revealed the FA will not appeal the punishment handed to Terry by the independent regulatory commission.

"The FA I believe will not be appealing it," he said. "But the thing is still under possible appeal therefore I do not want to talk about the John Terry thing at all.

"It's not over yet and John Terry has a right of appeal himself."

Ashley Cole has made a personal apology to David Bernstein, the chairman of the English Football Association, in a bid to defuse the ongoing row over his Twitter outburst. The Chelsea defender, who was charged by the English FA yesterday following his weekend comment, faces a wait to see if he will win his 99th cap against San Marino on Friday night. The match comes just a day before a deadline for the full-back to answer his charge of misconduct, following an abusive message about the English FA in the wake of the John Terry racial abuse verdict. But Bernstein revealed that Cole had followed up his apology to the FA on Friday with a personal apology last night. "He apologised immediately on Friday and he came to see me last night and apologised to me personally," said Bernstein. "He showed real contrition. He said he was really sorry. "He is free to play for England over the coming matches. It is up to the manager to decide whether he plays or not." Bernstein admitted, though, that the Chelsea full-back's actions meant he was unlikely to captain England for what could be his 100th cap against Poland next Tuesday. Asked about the possibility of Cole being given the armband to mark the occasion, Bernstein said: "To be absolutely honest I doubt it. We've expressed a view on what we need with regard to a captain and I doubt it, but we'll see. "We've had issues and we've stated publicly many times that we have a very high level of behaviour and so on and so forth required from an English captain." Bernstein also revealed the FA will not appeal the punishment handed to Terry by the independent regulatory commission. "The FA I believe will not be appealing it," he said. "But the thing is still under possible appeal therefore I do not want to talk about the John Terry thing at all. "It's not over yet and John Terry has a right of appeal himself."