Cleared Clattenburg feared career was over

Referee Mark Clattenburg has been officially cleared over allegations he racially abused Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel and has described his ordeal, which saw him temporarily barred from officiating, as “truly frightening”.

In one of the most high-profile cases English football has seen, Clattenburg was accused of mouthing “shut up you monkey” to Nigerian international Mikel during a match against Manchester United at Stamford Bridge.

But in a verdict that is at best uncomfortable for Chelsea and at worst embarrassing, the FA — having taken independent legal advice —decided he had no case to answer. An FA statement did, however, add that the complaint, made by Mikel’s team-mate Ramires was “made in good faith” while Chelsea have accepted the verdict.