Chelsea will take ''appropriate action'' after defender Ashley Cole reportedly shot an intern with an air gun by accident at the team's training facility.
The News of the World reported Sunday that the English player was playing around with a .22 air gun he had brought into the locker room seven days ago and hadn't realized it was loaded.
The Sunday tabloid said sports sciences student Tom Cowan, who is on a one-year work placement at Chelsea, was hit in the side by a lead pellet in the Surrey town of Cobham, south of London.
''We have fully investigated the incident and we are taking appropriate action. We will not be commenting further as it is an internal matter,'' Chelsea said in a statement.
Chelsea's medical staff reportedly treated the bleeding wound to the 21-year-old Cowan, who did not require hospital treatment.
The type of air gun involved in the incident doesn't require a license in Britain and Surrey Police weren't involved.
Police said Sunday they would study print editions of the newspaper before deciding whether to launch an investigation.
The 30-year-old Cole is the England national team's most-capped fullback, having made his 87th appearance in last month's friendly against Denmark.
Chelsea has endured a tough season on the field and is fifth in the standings going into Tuesday's match against Premier League leader Manchester United.
