Real Madrid hopes for Arsenal fullback Cole in tatters

Real Madrid's hopes of prising Ashley Cole away from Arsenal are in tatters after Wednesday night's controversies in Madrid.

Real see Cole as a potential successor to Roberto Carlos at left wing-back and were preparing a major offer for the England international.

But the racist abuse targeted at Cole and his black England teammates in Madrid last week has forced Real's board to drop all plans of bringing the classy fullback to the Santiago Bernabeu.