bickster Posted October 29, 2012 Moderator Share Posted October 29, 2012 Mark Clattenburg: FA confirms investigation into Chelsea claim The Football Association has begun an investigation into allegations made by Chelsea against referee Mark Clattenburg following Manchester United's 3-2 win at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea have made a formal complaint against Clattenburg,accusing him of using "inappropriate language" towards two of their players on Sunday. It is claimed Clattenburg used racial language, BBC Sport has learned. Clattenburg has not been picked to officiate at a match this weekend. It is understood midfielder John Mikel Obi is involved in the complaint.The FA issued a statement on Monday confirming it has launched an investigation, adding it will make "no further comment at this time". Peter Herbert, the lawyer behind the potential black players' breakaway union, has made a written complaint to the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) regarding the matter. "Our information is that racist remarks were directed at John Mikel Obi and at Juan Mata. If so, that is wholly unacceptable in any circumstances," wrote Herbert. "Although this matter may be investigated by the FA it is appropriate that the MPS independently see if a racially aggravated offence has occurred." When Chelsea confirmed they would be making a complaint on Sunday, PGMO issued a statement confirming Clattenburg would co-operate with any investigation. "PGMO is aware of the allegations and they are being treated with the utmost seriousness," the statement read. "Mark will co-operate fully and welcomes the opportunity for the facts to be established." Clattenburg, 37, is viewed by the PGMO as one of the country's leading officials and is on the Fifa list. The Durham-born referee was put in charge of the League Cup final in February and the Olympic final between Brazil and Mexico in August. Former Premier League official Graham Poll has suggested Chelsea's complaint could hinge on evidence from Clattenburg's assistants and the fourth official. Linesmen Michael McDonough and Simon Long and fourth official Michael Jones may have heard conversations between Clattenburg and the players because all four officials wear microphones and ear pieces that allow them to hear what each other is saying during the game. "A referee's microphone is on open. Everything he says is heard by [his or her] assistants," Poll told BBC Radio 5 live. "So if Mark said something, the assistants would have heard it." The Metropolitan Police have also revealed that an investigation has been launched into an incident in which a steward was injured at Stamford Bridge. It occurred as Javier Hernandez celebrated United's winning goal in the 75th minute. During the controversial encounter, Clattenburg sent off two Chelsea players. Branislav Ivanovic and Fernando Torres were shown red cards in the space of five minutes, with the latter's second yellow card for diving disputed by the Blues. From the BBC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimzk5 Posted October 29, 2012 Share Posted October 29, 2012 i just find it very difficult to believe. he would have to be an absolute idiot to do something that stupid, even more so with whats happened over the last 12 months Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr_Pangloss Posted October 29, 2012 Share Posted October 29, 2012 Hmmm this coming after he sent two of their players off and them losing to an offside goal. I seriously doubt he'd be stupid enough to say anything genuinely offensive given he was wired up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coda Posted October 29, 2012 Share Posted October 29, 2012 He should use the John Terry defence. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PompeyVillan Posted October 29, 2012 Share Posted October 29, 2012 My first thoughts were the same as Jims's. Surely Clattenburg isn't that stupid? I find it hard to believe that he racially abused a player, more likely a player taking something he said in the wrong way, but I also can't see two Chelsea players completely making this up. Doesn't do much for the English game this. The irony in all this is that it's not the players and officials that need to be protected from the fans, it's visa versa. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikeyp102 Posted October 29, 2012 Share Posted October 29, 2012 Yeah really strange one, hard to belief and he must be so moronic to do so Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ml1dch Posted October 29, 2012 Share Posted October 29, 2012 The 'supposedly' is that he called Juan Mata (via John Obi Mikel) a 'Spanish clearing in the woods'. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maqroll Posted October 29, 2012 Share Posted October 29, 2012 They need to investigate his haircut Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Rev Posted October 29, 2012 Share Posted October 29, 2012 It's been said elsewhere, but what will Chelsea do if Clattenburg is found guilty? Appoint him club captain? 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Milfner Posted October 29, 2012 Share Posted October 29, 2012 Bring out the lipreaders. Suggestions on youtube: "You're a clearing in the woods, but it's not my fault" "I know, you're Spanish, and that's not my fault" "And now he's punished, and that's not my fault" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bickster Posted October 30, 2012 Author Moderator Share Posted October 30, 2012 Cant tell what he said at all but none of it looks remotely like what is alleged, even the body language suggests Chelseas complaint is a bit Benteke ;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KjParton Posted October 30, 2012 Share Posted October 30, 2012 I know its worse but its not my fault? I really have no idea what he says in that vid Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BOF Posted October 30, 2012 Moderator Share Posted October 30, 2012 Nawww, Chelsea accusing referees of inappropriate language?* Chelsea have previous. And the Spanish are not a race. It all hangs on what he said to Mikel. By all means do him for 'inappropriate' language but don't pull out the race card. * Terry's accusation was retracted and he was subsequently fined £10k Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AVFCforever1991 Posted October 30, 2012 Share Posted October 30, 2012 Spanish word removed? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Demitri_C Posted October 30, 2012 Share Posted October 30, 2012 How do they prove it? Its their word against his? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shillzz Posted October 30, 2012 Share Posted October 30, 2012 He seems to say something like "[fill in blanks], but it's not my fault..... no" My guess would be "I know you're surprised, but it's not my fault". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coda Posted October 30, 2012 Share Posted October 30, 2012 He might have said, "What's the **** Mata? I wasn't taking the **** Mikel". I should be a lawyer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GarethRDR Posted October 30, 2012 Share Posted October 30, 2012 Fairly certain it's "I know you're pissed, but it's not my fault". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shillzz Posted October 30, 2012 Share Posted October 30, 2012 It's definitely "I know you're [something], but it's not my fault" Unless that something is "A sangria swigging, spanish cnut", then I don't think there's anything in it, not from that clip anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GarethRDR Posted October 30, 2012 Share Posted October 30, 2012 Or "small". "I know you're small, but that's not my fault." Maybe he was being height-ist. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts