Ashley Cole’s Shooting Places Carlo Ancelotti’s Future in Balance As Police Get Involved

Over the past few days, the Ashley Cole shooting incident has made the transformation from tabloid rumor to full-fledged scandal, and now, not only are the authorities getting involved, but the incident could even have a significant impact on the future of Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti.

The Surrey police have confirmed that they are now looking into Cole's alleged shooting of work-placement worker Tom Cowan.

"We can confirm that, while no direct allegation has been made to Surrey police, the matter has been brought to our attention through reports in the media, and we will be contacting the club in due course to establish whether any criminal offence has been committed," said a spokesman.

The incident was apparently covered up by the club, as Cowan was treated on site by club medical staff, not at a hospital, despite incurring a flesh wound from the .22 caliber rifle.

What is more significant for Ancelotti, however, is that the shooting has served as a prime example of a lack of discipline at the Chelsea training ground. The fact that Cole felt free to bring a rifle to practice and "lark" around with it freely is surely indicative of such, and the manager must be largely to blame.

"The problem of lax discipline has been one going around the club for some time now. The incident with Ashley Cole only adds to the feeling that the manager is not exercising full control over the players," said a Chelsea source.

Ancelotti has survived a tumultuous season thus far, but if the club continues to struggle and the prospect of missing out on the Champions League becomes more realistic, it is possible that he could be replaced, especially with Guus Hiddink's name linked to the post.

Chelsea has stated that the club will take "appropriate action" regarding the Cole incident, which thus far has included a potential £250,000 fine.

The shooting has now even received the infamous NMA.tv treatment. See below.