Ashley Cole's agent Jonathan Barnett has claimed that the left-back would have stayed at Arsenal "100%" had the club not gone back on their word.
The 34-year-old, who is a free agent after leaving Roma in the summer, controversially joined Chelsea on transfer deadline day in 2006.
The former England international made the switch for a £5m fee and Barnett was eventually fined £100,000 and suspended from all football activity for 18 months for his role in the alleged 'tapping up' saga.
In an interview with The Guardian, the football agent said: "I think I made mistakes, but I also think I was harshly treated. I was made a scapegoat, because it goes on all the time.
"If Arsenal hadn't gone back on their word, Ashley would have stayed 100% and that would never have happened. I'm not justifying it, but explaining it."
Cole came through Arsenal's academy and spent eight years in the first team before joining Chelsea.
Danielle Joynson
