Chelsea star Ashley Cole is to be investigated by police after he accidentally shot a work experience student with an air rifle.
The England defender was “larking around” in the changing room at the club’s Cobham training ground last Sunday when he shot 20-year-old Tom Cowan in the side.
Loughborough University sports science student Cowan, on a one-year placement, fell to the ground in agony following the shooting with the .22 air rifle.
He was treated by medical staff at the training ground, patched up and sent home for two days.
Police are now understood to be looking into the shocking incident after The News of the World broke the story in yesterday’s paper.
A spokesperson said last night: “While no direct allegation has been made to Surrey Police the matter has been brought to our attention through reports in the media.
“We will be contacting the club to establish if any criminal offences having been committed.”
Furious club bosses are thought to have fined Cole £250,000 for the incident with the defender unaware that the gun was loaded at the time.
The .22 rifle is the most powerful gun that can legally bought without a licence and, when fired from close range, can be lethal.
Cole’s shooting incident is the latest in a long line of misdemeanours from the England man who has a reputation for infidelity and behaving himself badly off-the-field.