Chelsea have accepted their fine for “tapping up” Arsenal’s Ashley Cole but manager Jose Mourinho will appeal against the verdict.

Chelsea were fined £300,000, Mourinho £200,000 and Cole £100,000 by the Premier League two weeks ago for having broken its rules on approaching players contracted to other clubs.

Chelsea said they would be backing Mourinho in his individual action.

“Although at the time we indicated an appeal was likely, and we were advised there were strong grounds for one, the Chelsea board of directors came to the conclusion that the greater interests of football were served by the club drawing a line under the issue,” the club said in a statement.”

It added: “Chelsea believes Jose should not have been charged separately as this did not happen in previous cases of a similar nature.

“Both Jose and the club also believe that the sanctions against him were disproportionate to the alleged offence.”