Chelsea and England [Images] footballer Ashley Cole was arrested early on Thursday morning on suspicion of being drunk and disorderly, a police source said.

Cole was stopped by police on Brompton Road, in an upmarket area of London [Images], at 2:15 a.m.

He was taken to a central London police station where he was given an 80-pound fixed penalty notice.

"A 28-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of being drunk and disorderly," a police spokesman said without naming Cole.

No further action will be taken, he said.

Cole, 28, played for Arsenal [Images] before an acrimonious move to Premier League rivals Chelsea in 2006.

He is married to Cheryl Cole, the Girls Aloud singer and judge on the TV talent show X Factor.

The Daily Mail website said Cole was arrested after he refused to tone down a foul-mouthed rant at police officers.