Feature: Truth about 'tapping-up'

Arsenal defender Cole was punished, along with Chelsea and Jose Mourinho, over a meeting held in a London hotel.

Cole's lawyer Graham Shear suggested the player might take his case further if an appeal is unsuccessful.

"It depends on his satisfaction, or lack of satisfaction with those findings (at the appeal)," Shear said.

"We will await the outcome of the appeal commission's findings, consider those and decide with Ashley, or advise him, as where then to go," said Shear on ITV News.

The agent has suggested Cole will cite restraint of trade at the appeal.

Cole's appeal will be heard by an FA Premier League appeals board, which will be made up of an independent, legally-qualified chairman and two FA councillors.

But it is unlikely to be formally set up ahead of the end of the 14-day deadline, from 1 June 1, which all parties - including Chelsea and Jose Mourinho - had to register an appeal.

The Premier League is still waiting to hear if Chelsea will appeal against their �300,000 fine, or if Mourinho will challenge his �200,000 punishment.

Cole was found in breach of Premier League rule K5, which prohibited him from approaching Chelsea with a view to negotiating a transfer, without permission from Arsenal.

Chelsea were found guilty of breaking rule K3, forbidding them approaching Cole, who has two years left on his current deal, by any means while under contract.