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Mark Clattenburg: withdrawn from the weekend roster. Jon Buckle/PA Wire/Press Association Images
Ref Row

Chelsea lodge official complaint against referee Mark Clattenburg

“We will cooperate fully with The FA and the police as they each investigate the matter,” a club statement reads.

CHELSEA HAVE CONFIRMED they have lodged a formal complaint with the Football Association regarding “inappropriate language” directed at John Obi Mikel by referee Mark Clattenburg during their Barclays Premier League match against Manchester United on Sunday.

“Following Sunday’s Premier League game against Manchester United, club board members were quickly made aware, upon entering the home dressing room after the final whistle, that there were allegations of inappropriate language directed at Chelsea FC players by Mr Clattenburg during the game,” a club statement reads.

“Board members began establishing the details of the allegations, speaking to all relevant players and staff. After those initial interviews it was clear that the matter had to be reported. The correct protocol for doing so was to report the incidents to the match delegate, and the club took immediate steps to inform him as soon as he was available. It was not a decision the club took lightly.

“Since reporting the matter to the delegate, the club and outside legal counsel have conducted further investigations. Having completed that process we have now followed the correct protocol and lodged a formal complaint with The FA regarding John Mikel Obi. There was not sufficient evidence to support a second claim to The FA with regard to the alleged verbal abuse of another first team player.

“We will cooperate fully with The FA and the Police as they each investigate the matter. As events on Sunday are now subject to those investigations we are unable to comment further until those processes are complete,” the statement adds.

The game in question saw two Chelsea players sent off by Clattenburg, while United’s 75th-minute winning goal was allowed to stand despite being scored from an offside position.

Clattenburg, 37, reportedly denies the allegations and has vowed to co-operate fully with any investigations.

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