Clattenburg takes week off ahead of grilling

Mark Clattenburg will not referee a match for a second weekend running as he prepares to answer accusations from Chelsea.

The Football Association is investigating a complaint from Chelsea that the match official used “inappropriate language” towards John Obi Mikel during the Barclays Premier League match against Manchester United, understood to have been interpreted as being racist.

Clattenburg is due to meet the FA this week and the police, after a complaint was made by the Society of Black Lawyers, and has decided not to take charge of a match.