Loaded rifles and soccer players do not mix well together.
According to ESPN.com, Chelsea defender Ashley Cole was at the club's Cobham training ground when he brought out a .22 gun, unaware that the gun was loaded, and accidentally fired and hit Tom Cowan, a Chelsea club worker. The 21-year-old Cowan was just five feet away from Cole, according to the original News of the World story.
According to the report, Gowan is a work experience boy for the Chelsea club, and he received treatment from the Chelsea medical staff, then given two days to rest after the incident. Also, the police were never called.
A source told the News of the World, "The gun went off with a loud pop and Tom screamed as this lead pellet hit him in the side. It went through his clothing and into his flesh."
Chelsea has yet to comment on the alleged incident.
