Chelsea launch formal complaint over Clattenburg's alleged comment

Chelsea have confirmed they have lodged a formal complaint with the Football Association regarding “inappropriate language” directed at John Obi Mikel by referee Mark Clattenburg during their Barclays Premier League match against Manchester United on Sunday.

Chelsea tonight lodged a formal complaint with the Football Association over “inappropriate language” they claim Mark Clattenburg used against John Obi Mikel in their acrimonious defeat to Manchester United.

But the Blues decided not to pursue an allegation referee Clattenburg also used words understood to have been interpreted as racist towards Juan Mata during Sunday’s game following an internal investigation carried out by external legal counsel.