Chelsea’s race’ claims about Mark Clattenburg referred to police

MARK Clattenburg is today facing the prospect of a police and Football Association investigation into allegations he used “inappropriate language” towards Chelsea players John Obi Mikel and Juan Mata.

On Sunday, Clattenburg was accused by the European champions of making offensive comments, which are understood to have been interpreted as racist, during their acrimonious Barclays Premier League defeat to Manchester United.

Chelsea lodged a formal complaint with the match delegate, sparking an almost inevitable chain of events that yesterday afternoon saw the FA announce an investigation and Clattenburg stood down from officiating for a week.

What was far from inevitable, however, was the involvement of the police, who last night became embroiled in a second high-profile football race case after the Society of Black Lawyers demanded they look into whether a criminal offence had been committed.

The man behind the mooted black players’ breakaway union, Peter Herbert, sent a letter to the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS), which read: “The Society of Black Lawyers wishes to record the incident that took place at Chelsea FC.

“Our information is that racist remarks were directed at John Mikel Obi and at Juan Mata. If so, that is wholly unacceptable in any circumstances. Although this matter may be investigated by the FA, it is appropriate that the MPS independently see if a racially-aggravated offence has occurred.”

The police last night confirmed they had received the letter but it is understood it was by no means certain an investigation would follow. It was unclear whether Mikel, Mata or Chelsea would welcome police involvement, though they themselves had made no complaint as of yesterday. It would also pile the pressure on the FA, who will be desperate to avoid another lengthy disciplinary matter after shelving their own investigation into Terry while he faced criminal charges.

Their action yesterday followed the receipt of the match delegate’s report, as well as an ‘extraordinary incident report’ from Clattenburg himself. These are submitted by referees on matters that may require FA intervention.

The investigation prompted Clattenburg’s bosses at Professional Game Match Officials to omit him from games on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday, saying in a statement: “Professional Game Match Officials believe that, with any football match, the focus should not be on the officials but on the players and the game itself.

“Mark Clattenburg is one of the elite referees in world football and, in these circumstances, the intense level of scrutiny would detract from the match and be unfair to the clubs and the supporters of both sides.”

Clattenburg at the weekend vowed to co-operate fully with any investigation and was yesterday promised the “full support” of the referees’ union.

The process looks set to involve Clattenburg, Mikel and Mata all being interviewed by FA compliance officers, who are likely to speak to other potential witnesses. Those could include several Chelsea and Manchester United players and will almost certainly see Clattenburg’s assistants and fourth official asked to provide evidence.

Clattenburg, Michael McDonough, Simon Long and Michael Jones all wore microphones and earpieces on Sunday, although their conversations were not recorded. Former Premier League referee Graham Poll told BBC Radio Five Live: “A referee’s microphone is on open. Everything he says is heard by two assistants. So if Mark said something, the assistants would have heard it.”

Technology could yet be used as evidence, though, if video or audio footage emerges in support of either Clattenburg or his accusers. Mikel’s agent, Chelsea, and United all refused to comment on the saga yesterday, although it is understood the latter club was unaware whether any of their players heard Clattenburg’s alleged language.

Poll and fellow former referee Jeff Winter claimed Clattenburg was doomed if he was proven to have used racist insults towards a player. Winter said: “If a match official has used racial insults or language to a player then he’s for the high jump. He won’t be getting a four-match or an eight-match ban, it’ll probably be the end of his career – but that is if indeed he did say anything.”

He added: “I feel it very unlikely that Mark Clattenburg would be allowed to referee until it’s dealt with so we certainly don’t want this going on for weeks and months.”

Winter found it “ironic” a referee had been accused of using inappropriate language given officials were subjected to abuse from players and fans at almost every match.

He added: “I’m not saying referees should do it, but there seems to be one law for one set of people and one law for another, but this inference that racial language has been used is very, very serious.”

Anti-racism group Kick It Out refused to comment on the unfolding story until the investigation was complete.

Clattenburg controversies

Pedro Mendes ‘goal’ not given (January, 2005)

Clattenburg failed, along with his assistants, to spot Tottenham midfielder Mendes’ shot had been fumbled clearly over the line by Manchester United goalkeeper Roy Carroll in a match at Old Trafford and a goal was not given.

Tony Hibbert sent off (October, 2007)

The Durham referee sent off Everton defender Hibbert in a Merseyside derby. After initially appearing to be about to show him a yellow card, Clattenburg seemed to change his mind and pulled out a red after a brief exchange with Steven Gerrard. He later did not send off Dirk Kuyt for a two-footed lunge at Phil Neville. Clattenburg did not referee another Everton match until 2012.

Sacked over business dealings (August, 2008)

He was suspended pending a probe into his business affairs following allegations he owed £60,000 as a result of a failed venture. He was pulled out of the FA Community Shield clash between Manchester United and Portsmouth as a result and later sacked by the Professional Game Match Officials board. In February 2009 he was reinstated as a Select Group Referee on appeal, but suspended for eight months from 6 August, 2008 – the date of his original ban – for “issues relating to his private business affairs”.

Craig Bellamy accusation (December, 2009)

It is alleged, in a match between Bolton and Manchester City, that Clattenburg asked the City bench: “How do you work with Craig Bellamy all week?” He then sent Bellamy off for two yellow cards in the game.

Nani goal stands

(October, 2010)

Clattenburg correctly, if controversially, allowed a goal to stand between Manchester United and Tottenham when Nani tapped the ball in after Spurs goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes put the ball down, believing his side had a free-kick. Clattenburg had not blown his whistle.