Soccer-Chelsea's Grant praises Cole over Hutton apology

By Chris Hatherall

COBHAM, England, March 21 (Reuters) - Chelsea manager Avram Grant on Friday praised Ashley Cole after the defender apologised for his tackle on Alan Hutton and his subsequent behaviour towards the referee.

Cole's high tackle on Hutton and show of petulance to referee Mike Riley, who booked him during Wednesday's 4-4 Premier League draw at White Hart Lane, has been criticised in the English media and threatened to undermine the FA's Respect Campaign launched this week.

Cole, 27, apologised to Hutton and referee Riley on Thursday and Grant said he was pleased his player was big enough to take responsibility for his actions.

"I think the team discipline is good, not less than other teams, maybe a little bit more," Grant told reporters.

"And I think you need to give credit to Ashley because he behaved like a mature guy. He saw what he did the day afterwards and he apologised himself. Nobody pushed him to apologise and you need to give credit to him about that.

Grant said he thought his team's discipline was generallly better than that of other teams and defended Cole's apology.

"He made a tackle and he realised he needed to apologise about it and his behaviour. Ashley has not done it before, it was the first time and I give him a lot of credit for it."

Grant also said in general players do respect officials in England.