A new criminal investigation into
racism in English football began on Tuesday when police formally opened a case
into claims referee Mark Clattenburg directed ‘’inappropriate language’’ at two
Chelsea players during a Barclays Premier League match against Manchester
United at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
Clattenburg is accused of abusing
midfielders Mikel Obi and Juan Mata during Sunday’s 3-2 loss to United,
according to the lawyer whose complaint sparked the police investigation.
A day after the globally televised
match, Society of Black Lawyers chairman Peter Herbert said he asked officers
to look into whether a ‘’racially aggravated offense has occurred’’ at Stamford
Bridge.
The Metropolitan Police responded in
a statement on Tuesday by announcing that ‘’an investigation has been launched
into alleged comments made during a football match between Chelsea FC and
Manchester United FC.’’
Chelsea lodged a formal complaint
with the match delegate that saw the FA announce an investigation and
Clattenburg stood down from officiating for a week. However the police then
became involved after the Society of Black Lawyers demanded they look into
whether a criminal offence had been committed.
The letter Herbert, sent to the
Metropolitan Police Service reads, “The Society of Black Lawyers wishes to
record the incident that took place at Chelsea FC. 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.
“Although this matter may be
investigated by the FA, it is appropriate that the MPS independently see if a
racially-aggravated offence has occurred.”
It was also reported by the Daily
Mail that Chelsea’s players claim to have heard Clattenburg call Mata a
“Spanish t**t”, as well as abusing Mikel.
An FA statement on Monday reads, “The
FA has begun an investigation relating to allegations made following Sunday’s
fixture at Stamford Bridge between Chelsea and Manchester United (Sunday 28
October 2012).
“The FA will make no further comment
at this time.”
Meanwhile, the referees’ union has
pledged its “full support” to Clattenburg.
Mikel’s agent and Chelsea refused to
comment further on the matter but the club did confirm they had decided against
holding a press conference to preview Wednesday night’s Capital One Cup clash
against United.
United were similarly taciturn,
although it is understood they were unaware whether any of their players heard
Clattenburg’s allegedly “inappropriate language” and could act as witnesses.
Clattenburg has already filed what is
known as an ‘extraordinary incident report’, which is understood to mainly deal
with a meeting which is alleged to have taken place in the referees’ room after
full-time.
Chelsea manager Roberto Di Matteo,
assistant manager Eddie Newton and chief executive Ron Gourlay were reportedly
all present as Mikel angrily accused Clattenburg of abusing him.
The referee, his assistants and
fourth official are understood to have been stunned by the claims, with Michael
McDonough, Simon Long and Michael Jones denying hearing anything of that nature
over the officials’ microphone link-up.