Chelsea ‘regrets’ over handling of Clattenburg incident
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.
Referees union Prospect have accepted Chelsea’s statement as tantamount to an apology and withdrawn a call for the club to pay Clattenburg compensation.
Clattenburg, of course, was subject to both police and FA investigations following a claim he abused Mikel during a Premier League match against Manchester United in London. The case, taken up by the Society of Black Lawyers, made front page headlines after the referee, 37, was accused of mouthing ‘shut up monkey’ at the Nigerian international.
Police, however, were unable to find evidence to progress their enquiry before the FA cleared Clattenburg of all charges and instead charged Mikel for the way he stormed into the referee’s changing room after the match to confront him.
Chelsea’s decision to report Clattenburg was criticised by some, including Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson and Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, partly because Mikel did not hear the offending phrase, which was noted only by fellow midfielder Ramires, who does not speak English.
None of the other match officials, who were all linked to Clattenburg by microphone, heard him use the phrase and the FA noted contradictory evidence from several parties before exonerating him of all charges.
There were fears the affair could cause long-term issues over the refereeing of Chelsea matches; but a long and frank meeting was held on Monday between the PGMOL, represented by their general manager Mike Riley, all 16 Select Group referees (including Clattenburg) the Premier League, represented by chief executive Richard Scudamore, and Chelsea FC, represented by Buck.
The result was a joint statement which welcomed Buck’s willingness to answer all questions and described a “constructive and open discussion”.
It also said: “The club regrets not having given more consideration before issuing a statement on the evening of Sunday, October 28. The club also regrets the subsequent impact the intense media scrutiny had on Mark Clattenburg and his family.
“The referees accept that, given Chelsea FC had received a good faith claim from one of their employees, the club had an obligation under FA rules to report the allegation. There was recognition by all parties that the impartiality and integrity of refereeing in this country remains paramount. Chelsea FC made it clear they would welcome Mark Clattenburg back to Stamford Bridge in the future and PGMOL would have no issue in appointing him to a Chelsea FC match going forward.
“It was a thoroughly professional meeting. All parties now believe it is time to draw a line under this incident, learn from it and move on for the good of all Premier League clubs, players and match officials.”
Whether that can happen remains to be seen. The statement is unlikely to entirely appease everyone, as it crucially stops short of an apology, and certainly makes no offer of compensation to Clattenburg who has been put through an ordeal that prompted him to say last week: “To know you were innocent of something but that there was the opportunity for it to wreck your career was truly frightening.”
It will also not please the Society of Black Lawyers who have accused The FA of being institutionally racist and criticised the way the sport deals with accusations of racial abuse.
However, there is a realisation in football circles Chelsea have also been placed in an invidious position; compelled to take the accusation seriously and to report it — and now unable to apologise because Ramires has not withdrawn his accusation and remains adamant about what he heard.
An official apology could also have legal implications for the club should Clattenburg seek reprisals, although at this stage that looks unlikely. So, in essence, Chelsea’s regrets are over the way they issued a statement on the accusations so quickly, creating a media hype that put Clattenburg and his family under intense pressure. But they do not regret reporting the incident — and have not been criticised by The FA for doing so.
The PGMOL have reacted quickly to ensure all comments made by referees and their linesmen will be recorded in future; and tapes will be made available to The FA if necessary.
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