Chelsea lodge Clattenburg complaint
But the Blues decided not to pursue an allegation referee Clattenburg also used words understood to have been interpreted as racist towards Juan Mata during the game following an internal investigation carried out by external legal counsel.
Chelsea have submitted signed witness statements from a number of players and staff to the FA, who had already begun their own probe into the matter.
The police are also investigating the allegations against Clattenburg, who it is understood categorically denies any wrongdoing.
Chelsea said in a statement: “Chelsea Football Club today lodged a formal complaint with The Football Association regarding inappropriate language directed at John Mikel Obi by referee Mark Clattenburg.
“This is a result of a thorough investigation carried out by the club, and led by outside legal counsel, of all information available to us including interviews with a number of players and staff.
“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.
“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.
“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.”
The FA did not respond to last night’s development as they continued their probe, while the Metropolitan Police were not immediately available for comment.
It is thought Clattenburg had yet to be interviewed yesterday by either organisation but he and his fellow referees were said to have been shocked and angered by the claims. The 37-year-old had already vowed to co-operate with any inquiry.
Chelsea refused to comment on reports neither Mikel nor Mata had heard Clattenburg abuse them but were rather told of the allegations by team-mates.
Clattenburg’s colleagues, who were miked up to him throughout the game, were all said to have denied hearing him abuse either player.
The officials’ in-game conversations are not recorded but the extraordinary fallout from the weekend’s events have led to calls for that to change.
Police became embroiled in their second high-profile racism case in 12 months following a complaint from the Society of Black Lawyers, whose chairman has vowed to continue escalating such allegations from the world of football until the FA increase the severity of their own sanctions.
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