Chelsea manager Avram Grant praised Ashley Cole after the defender apologised for his tackle on Tottenham full back 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 the Scotland right back 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 said.

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

"I think players and coaches, managers, respect the referees," Grant added.

"It is a game of emotion and sometimes the referee makes big mistakes. But the rules maybe need to be more clear about some things such as who can go to the referee and who cannot go to him.

"I think a rule where the captain can only go to the referee would be good and more clear for everybody because then everyone will respect it."

An FA spokesman said on Thursday that the FA are determined to stamp out the practice and improve behaviour on the pitch at all levels of the game.

One measure being considered is that clubs could be penalised points for a lack of respect or dissent from next season.

Reuters