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The Football Association has announced referee Mark Clattenburg will not face disciplinary action over a complaint of the use of inappropriate language directed towards Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel.
GettyImagesMark Clattenburg was accused of using inappropriate language towards Chelsea’s John Obi Mikel
The FA decided there is “no case to answer” over an allegation the referee said “shut up you monkey” to Mikel. An FA statement also said the complaint by Mikel’s team-mate Ramires was “made in good faith”.
Mikel, meanwhile, has been charged for an alleged use of threatening and/or abusive and/or insulting words and/or behaviour in or around the match officials’ changing room following his side’s game with Manchester United on October 28.
Clattenburg spoke of his relief and said the last few weeks had been “the most stressful of his life”.
He said: “I am looking forward to putting this behind me and concentrating on refereeing in the Premier League and other competitions.
“I am extremely grateful for the invaluable support of my family, my Select Group colleagues, the management of Professional Game Match Officials Limited and our union Prospect. The messages of encouragement from those inside and outside of the game have helped me through the most stressful time of my professional life.
“To know you were innocent of something but that there was the opportunity for it to wreck your career was truly frightening.
“Racism has no place in football and this experience should not discourage those to speak out if they genuinely believe they are a victim of abuse. However, there are processes that should be adhered in order that any investigation can be carried out in a manner that is fair for all parties involved.
“I know first-hand the ramifications of allegations of this nature being placed into the public domain ahead of a formal process and investigation. I hope no referee has to go through this in the future.”
