Chelsea demand justice for racist abuse of Mikel

Chelsea lodged a formal complaint with the Football Association over "inappropriate language" they allege Mark Clattenburg used against John Obi Mikel during their volatile Premier League clash againt 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.

The police are also investigating the allegations against Clattenburg, who has denied using racist or inappropriate language in a submission to the FA and is backed by his two assistants and the fourth official.

John Mikel Obi has consistently told Chelsea officials that he wanted to pursue the case against Clattenburg after the official allegedly told him to ‘shut it, monkey’ during Chelsea’s 3-2 defeat against Manchester United on Sunday, according to the Daily Mail (https://bit.ly/RsTb6H).

But as United met Chelsea again at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night, in the Capital One Cup, the second element of the London club’s initial complaint alleging the referee called Juan Mata ‘a Spanish t***’ was dropped.

Chelsea are demanding justice and clearly want their pound of flesh.

Following is the full statement issued by Chelsea:

"Chelsea Football Club today lodged a formal complaint with The Football Association regarding inappropriate language directed at John Mikel Obi by referee Mark Clattenburg.

"This is a result of a thorough investigation carried out by the club, and led by outside legal counsel, of all information available to us including interviews with a number of players and staff.

"Following Sunday's Premier League game against Manchester United, club board members were quickly made aware, upon entering the home dressing room after the final whistle, that there were allegations of inappropriate language directed at Chelsea FC players by Mr Clattenburg during the game.

"Board members began establishing the details of the allegations, speaking to all relevant players and staff. After those initial interviews it was clear that the matter had to be reported.

"The correct protocol for doing so was to report the incidents to the match delegate, and the club took immediate steps to inform him as soon as he was available. It was not a decision the club took lightly.

"Since reporting the matter to the delegate, the club and outside legal counsel have conducted further investigations.

"Having completed that process we have now followed the correct protocol and lodged a formal complaint with The FA regarding John Mikel Obi.

"There was not sufficient evidence to support a second claim to The FA with regard to the alleged verbal abuse of another first team player.

"We will cooperate fully with The FA and the Police as they each investigate the matter.

"As events on Sunday are now subject to those investigations we are unable to comment further until those processes are complete."

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