Chelsea ‘regrets’ over handling of Clattenburg incident

Mark Clattenburg will be back in action tonight after Chelsea, the Premier League and the Professional Game Match Officials Limited issued a joint statement admitting regrets over the way his recent ordeal was handled and calling for a line to be drawn under the affair.

Clattenburg, who has been left off the refereeing list for four weeks while accusations he racially abused midfielder Jon Obi Mikel were investigated, will be in charge of Southampton against Norwich City having reportedly shaken hands with Chelsea chairman Bruce Buck during a frank and open meeting on Monday.

The statement, issued yesterday afternoon, pointedly stopped short of an apology from Chelsea, but it will, nevertheless, ease tensions and open up the possibility of Clattenburg refereeing at Stamford Bridge again in future.