Accused: Clattenburg is alleged to have racially abused John Obi Mikel (right) during Chelsea's defeat.
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Referee Mark Clattenburg has been accused of aiming a racist insult at Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel during Sunday's 3-2 home defeat by Manchester United at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea made a complaint to the Premier League after Mikel stormed into the referee’s room to demand an apology after claiming Clattenburg made a racist slur when he booked the midfielder in the 76th minute.
One of Chelsea’s Spanish stars is also involved after players claim they heard Clattenburg refer to him as ‘a Spanish t**t’. Spaniards Fernando Torres, Juan Mata and Cesar Azpilicueta all played against United.
Dispute: Mikel complains to Clattenburg as his side slump to defeat at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea made the official complaint at 7.45pm on Sunday night, but Clattenburg had already been confronted by then.
Chief executive Ron Gourlay, with Mikel and manager Roberto Di Matteo, demanded an apology during stormy scenes in the referee’s room.
Clattenburg refused and Chelsea decided to take the incredible action of launching an immediate complaint to the Premier League, via match delegate Nick Cusack, over his language.
Why assistant refs could be crucial...
The FA and Premier League could ask Sky TV for footage from the 20 camera angles used for the big live matches to help confirm whether Mark Clattenburg made an inappropriate or racially aggravated comment. Premier League refs wear microphones, which means evidence from Michael McDonough and Simon Long — who both ran the line — and fourth official Michael Jones may prove crucial.
Marching orders: Referee Mark Clattenburg showed two red cards to Chelsea players on Sunday.
According to sources close to the players, they are willing to make statements to the FA’s disciplinary committee this week.
A club spokesman said: ‘We have lodged a complaint to the Premier League match delegate with regards to inappropriate language used by the referee and directed at two of our players in two separate incidents in today’s match. The match delegate will pass the complaint to the FA.’
The matter is now in the hands of the FA and Premier League officials, who will ask Sky TV for footage from the 20 camera angles used for live matches.
While not all are recorded, they should help confirm whether Clattenburg made an inappropriate or racially aggravated comment.
Marching orders: Branislav Ivanovic was sent off (above) while Clattenburg struggled to contain both sides.
Premier League referees also wear microphones, which suggests evidence by Michael McDonough and Simon Long — who ran the line — or fourth official Michael Jones could be crucial.
The incidents occurred on the day Chelsea threw support behind the Kick Racism Out of Football campaign.
Players from Chelsea and United — with the exception of United’s Ashley Young — wore One Game One Community T-shirts in the warm-up.
Tough time: Clattenburg was given a hostile reception by the Chelsea fans as he left the field.
John Terry, serving a four-match ban for racially insulting Anton Ferdinand last October, wore a Kick It Out badge as he watched from the sidelines.
Rio Ferdinand, fined £45,000 for his ‘choc ice’ tweet, also ended his feud with Ashley Cole when they shook hands before the game.
But all that was forgotten amid dramatic scenes nearly two hours after the final whistle.
Winner: Javier Hernandez scores Manchester United's third goal (above) and celebrates (below).
Home players heard the alleged comment to Mikel and will back up his story. Clattenburg said he would co-operate with any inquiry.
Professional Game Match Officials, the body which represents Premier League referees, released a statement which read: ‘PGMO is aware of the allegations and they are being treated with the utmost seriousness. Mark will co-operate fully and welcomes the opportunity for the facts to be established.’
Culled from The Daily Mail UK.
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