Poll highlights difficulties of Clattenburg case

Former referee Graham Poll believes the only way Mark Clattenburg could emerge from the current controversy around him “untarnished” would be if Chelsea were to say that their accusation that he used “inappropriate language” towards John Obi Mikel was mistaken.

Chelsea have filed a formal complaint to the Football Association over a remark they claim Clattenburg made to Mikel during last Sunday’s Barclays Premier League match against Manchester United which it is understood Chelsea interpreted to have been racist in nature.