Clattenburg gets full backing of officials

Referee Mark Clattenburg will receive the backing of his fellow officials as an investigation into allegations he used “inappropriate language” towards a player is conducted.

Chelsea have lodged a formal complaint with the Football Association after alleging Clattenburg spoke out of turn to John Obi Mikel during Sunday’s stormy Premier League clash against Manchester United at Stamford Bridge.

The west London club have submitted a dossier of evidence which contains accounts given by players, who claim the 37-year-old official used a term which has been interpreted as racist.