IN the artificial bubble in which they exist, there is a tendency for Premier League footballers to be forgiven their indiscretions.

Despite now having the responsibility of fatherhood, Wayne Rooney has continued to be unfaithful to his wife Colleen, but she has found it in her heart to forgive him.

Abbey Clancey has married Peter Crouch despite his philandering.

And now Geordie girl Cheryl Cole is poised to go back to Ashley Cole despite being humiliated by his cheating.

Perhaps so-called Wags take the view that footballers are faced with extraordinary temptations and should, therefore, be allowed the occasional lapse.

Or perhaps it’s easier to forgive when to do otherwise would mean giving up the trappings of an obscenelywealthy lifestyle.

In Cheryl Cole’s case, she is a woman of independent wealth so she must genuinely love Ashley and want to give him one more chance.

The Chelsea star admits that he has made mistakes – it would be hard to argue otherwise – and says he wishes people would judge him on his football skills rather than his private life.

The trouble with that, of course, is that being a fabulously rewarded footballer comes with the responsibility of being a role model – and he has been a poor one.

Cheryl Cole is old enough and successful enough to make up her own mind. For her sake, it is to be hoped that the man she divorced only last September has finally grown up.