Mikel banned for Clattenburg rant

Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel has been handed a three-game ban following Chelsea’s stormy Barclays Premier League match against Manchester United on October 28.

Mikel had already admitted a charge that he confronted referee Mark Clattenburg in the official’s changing room after the game before yesterday’s personal hearing.

The decision by the Independent Regulatory Commission revealed the sanction, which included a £60,000 fine, would have been “significantly longer” but for the fact Mikel had believed he had been racially abused by Clattenburg.