Saints demand action for referee ‘insult’

Southampton refuse to accept the refereeing chiefs’ decision to rule out action against Mark Clattenburg who they accused of verbally abusing midfielder Adam Lallana.

Saints are considering an FA appeal over the ruling by the Professional Game Match Officials Limited that Clattenburg has no case to answer for conduct in the December 29 2-1 league defeat to Everton.

Southampton claimed Clattenburg told Lallana: “You are very different now, since you’ve played for England — you never used to be like this.” But a PGMOL review has ruled there is no case to answer.

Southampton have pledged not to let the matter lie. A club spokesman said: “An official insulting any player, no matter his intentions, is clearly not acceptable behaviour... we do not consider the matter to be over.”

Clattenburg is scheduled to officiate at this evening’s clash between Arsenal and Tottenham. Southampton take on Burnley today.