Chelsea could fine Ashley Cole £400,000 in the wake of further damaging allegations about the England defender.

Club officials are determined to crack down to ensure the club sheds its sleazy reputation, and chief executive Ron Gourlay is expected to hand out the record-breaking punishment this week.

Lurid headlines about Cole's alleged infidelity to wife Cheryl have brought embarrassment on the club, which is still reeling from the sex scandal that saw John Terry removed as England captain.

Reports on Sunday claimed Cole deliberately misled senior club officials into covering up a sexual liaison on last summer's pre-season tour in Seattle.

The stories have come just weeks after revelations that Terry conducted an affair with the ex-girlfriend of former team-mate Wayne Bridge.

Cole has already been fined £200,000 - two weeks' wages - after allegations he sneaked a blonde secretary into the club hotel before matches last season.

However, the latest claims will be treated even more seriously if it can be established he lied to his employers.

If the £400,000 fine is imposed, it would be the highest given to a Premier League footballer.

A club spokesperson said: "This is a private matter for Ashley Cole. Where anything is alleged to have happened on Chelsea FC time, that is an internal club matter and will be dealt with internally."

The maximum that a club can fine a player for a disciplinary breach is two weeks' wages, but because Cole is accused of several misdemeanours, the club want to hit him with multiple punishments.

Cole is currently recovering from a broken ankle, and last week called police at 4.30am when he suspected burglars of attempting to break into his Surrey mansion.