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Clattenburg with Mikel and Ramires. Nick Potts/PA Wire/Press Association Images

Cleared: FA throw out racism complaint against referee Mark Clattenburg

The Premier League referee has “no case to answer” while Chelsea midfielder Jon Obi Mikel faces a charge over abusive language.

ENGLAND’S GOVERNING FOOTBALL Association announced Thursday it would take no action against referee Mark Clattenburg over allegations he used a racist remark towards Chelsea’s John Obi Mikel.

The FA said there was “no case to answer” over allegations Clattenburg said “shut up you monkey” to the Nigeria midfielder during Chelsea’s 3-2 Premier League defeat by Manchester United at Stamford Bridge on October 28.

However, an FA statement said the complaint by Mikel’s Brazilian team-mate Ramires had been made in good faith.

But the FA did charge Mikel 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 the match.

Read the full FA statement here

- © AFP, 2012

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Rafa Benitez bids to win round Chelsea fans

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    Mute Chris Tobin
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    Nov 22nd 2012, 5:13 PM

    chelsea should be.hammered by F.A. Trying to desyroys a refs reputation. very definetly sour chelsea grapes. Go on.F.A. grow a pair.!!

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    Mute Brian O'Grady
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    Nov 22nd 2012, 8:56 PM

    Ya I think point deduction in order. They could have ruined his career

    75
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    Mute Andrew P
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    Nov 23rd 2012, 12:44 AM

    agree, Chelsea should be severly punished for this

    26
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    Mute Emmet Boyle
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    Nov 22nd 2012, 5:15 PM

    Surely the two Chelsea players should be suspended and warned of their future conduct. I believe in kicking racism out of the game .
    Anyone who makes a claim like this should have evidence to back it up.

    It is not a nice thing to be wrongly accused of!

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    Mute Henry chinaski
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    Nov 22nd 2012, 5:22 PM

    I’ve said it before, a horrible sh!tty club…

    174
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    Mute Paul Messitt
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    Nov 22nd 2012, 5:34 PM

    Chelsea are a disgrace….I never thought for one minute Clattenburg was guilty….That club is nothing but trouble..John terry is a thug…yiz have a revolving door for managers…Liverpool and Man utd are proper clubs…chelsea will never have the respect like them two…sore loosers…

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    Mute Gary Mason
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    Nov 22nd 2012, 7:37 PM

    *losers

    20
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    Mute Kevin Collins
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    Nov 22nd 2012, 9:34 PM

    Yes liverpool are a proper club who stick with their managers for the long haul and would never become embroiled in a scandal like this.

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    Mute Ken Byrne
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    Nov 22nd 2012, 9:45 PM

    Yes Liverpool would never support anything like this? …. Hang on didn’t they all wear those ridiculous T-Shirts last season in support of Suarez?

    34
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    Mute Gerard Horan
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    Nov 22nd 2012, 5:30 PM

    The FA should throw the book at Chelsea….10 point deduction should suffice

    127
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    Mute Daisy Chainsaw
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    Nov 22nd 2012, 5:40 PM

    Poor Rafa would be fired by Abramovitch before he’d handed in his first team sheet!

    79
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    Mute Dale Maguire
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    Nov 22nd 2012, 5:41 PM

    Correct Gerard,the perfect thing to do.That will put a stop to it.

    31
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    Mute Patrick Kennedy
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    Nov 22nd 2012, 5:21 PM

    chelsea have realeased a statement no hint of an apology at all to clattenburg just some bullcrap about that mikiel doesnt deny charges but will request a personal hearing to see the mitigating circumstances for the charge and that they had a duty of care to report the incident, isnt it strange came out on day benitez unveiling

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    Mute Cornelius Crow
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    Nov 22nd 2012, 9:17 PM

    I thought you meant hearing as in hearing test, was thinking that’s extreme but I suppose it’s for the best

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    Mute Vimal Groodoyal
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    Nov 22nd 2012, 5:32 PM

    I hope the referee seek compensation like he said he will and Ramires n Mikel get couple match ban for false allegation ! I can’t wait until Mark is refereeing in a Chelsea match!

    107
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    Mute MenaMcMorrow
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    Nov 22nd 2012, 5:34 PM

    Disgusting behaviour. And in the process almost ruined a young referees reputation. Disappointed with FA for not penalising Chelsea. Totally agree with a points deduction.

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    Mute Ciaran Morgan
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    Nov 22nd 2012, 5:41 PM

    Getting Benitez as a manager is punishment enough!

    78
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    Mute Pat Culleton
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    Nov 22nd 2012, 9:00 PM

    That’s one more reason, as if it were needed, to dislike them.

    6
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    Mute Paul M. Barrett
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    Nov 22nd 2012, 6:15 PM

    There should be very serious consequences for players or indeed anyone who falsely accuses somebody of racism forcing the referee out of his job and placing the threat of prosecution, public disgrace and financial ruin over him for three weeks. Chelsea are a complete and utter disgrace.

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    Mute colm connolly
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    Nov 22nd 2012, 5:34 PM

    About time this came to an end he is one of the best refs in the hardest competition to referee

    69
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    Mute Gamma
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    Nov 22nd 2012, 5:53 PM

    Every day it gets harder and harder to be a Chelsea fan

    64
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    Mute Steve Herron
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    Nov 22nd 2012, 6:35 PM

    Totally agree. I’ve supported Chelsea since I was a boy. I followed them through mid-table mediocrity through to now. as a ordinary person I find that they have become something I’ve criticised other clubs for being, arrogant and obnoxious sore losers.

    If Chelsea want to gain back some respect they need to take their defeats like men and accept you can’t win them all.

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    Mute Richard Patchell
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    Nov 22nd 2012, 5:36 PM

    Right decision made…………it’s a club that’s blames everyone else for their mistakes :) just look at how many managers they’ve gone through already,need I say anymore lol

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    Mute Mark Power
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    Nov 22nd 2012, 5:54 PM

    FA took way too long to arrive at the obvious truth. Chelsea should be battered with a huge fine bathe player that made the allegation should be banned. Clattenberg had better be MASSIVELY compensated for the damage this sickeningly defaming incident has done to his reputation and credibility.

    52
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    Mute Anthony O Donnell
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    Nov 22nd 2012, 5:30 PM

    Common sense versus hysterical PC nonsense=no contest ,common sense wins hands down.

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    Mute Les Rock
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    Nov 22nd 2012, 5:46 PM

    Common sense prevails…always thought it was childish games to get back at someone for the Terry affair. Hammer the now with a points deduction

    35
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    Mute Dale Dermott
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    Nov 22nd 2012, 6:19 PM

    Why not ban Chelsea from Europe for two or three years. The club backed the accusations. Hit Abramovich where it hurts and see how well he gets on with luring Gardiola or any other top manager.

    33
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    Mute Paul Quigley
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    Nov 22nd 2012, 6:24 PM

    Not surprised – Chelsea should be fined now – Clattenburg has been removed from many premiership matches and deserves compensation.

    31
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    Mute Pat Culleton
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    Nov 22nd 2012, 9:07 PM

    I agree there should be consequences for Chelsea but I doubt if any fine the FA could impose on them would hurt them at all. Like many other posters have said, I think if the option is open to the FA they should be considering a points deduction.

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    Mute Eamonn O'Rourke
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    Nov 22nd 2012, 6:28 PM

    they should be docked points, waste of time with a money fine. they are a disgrace

    28
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    Mute Mark Noonan
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    Nov 22nd 2012, 8:46 PM

    oh sorry i ‘thought’ I heard him say monkey cant be sure but lets get him anyway – disgraceful from that big idiot mikkel and worse from his employers – calm chat with the ref would have done – race card is almost too easy these days because its going to get headlines – calm chat with clattenburg would have sorted this I hope they get what they deserve

    24
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    Mute positivenote
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    Nov 22nd 2012, 11:43 PM

    I also note The Society of Black lawyers representative who put in a complaint despite not having been at the match or even seen it on TV has also not had his name in the papers recently ? Surely differentiating themselves as ‘black’ lawyers is in itself a racist act? Couldn’t see a society for Caucasian lawyers lasting any time without being ridiculed

    21
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    Mute AJ Finnin
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    Nov 22nd 2012, 11:57 PM

    So true. How long would a “Society of white lawyers” last in Zimbabwe or any other predominantly non white country last?

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    Mute Jonny Martin
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    Nov 22nd 2012, 5:52 PM

    I wonder how much of a baring had the very poor handling of this had on Di Matteo being sacked?

    19
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    Mute colm connolly
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    Nov 22nd 2012, 9:34 PM

    None cause he never spoke about it every press conference he did was with the Chelsea communications director who would answer any questions on the matter

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    Mute jrbmc
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    Nov 22nd 2012, 8:29 PM

    Muck sticks even when it’s not true , he will still get abuse from fans about it for the rest of his career, throw the book at Chelsea and players involved , bans and serious points deduction is needed to teach them and anyone else a lesson who try’s to destroy a Man’s life, Character and future , lets see Roman buys his way out of that ….

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    Mute david curran
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    Nov 22nd 2012, 9:32 PM

    Think of what that poor man and his family went through over sour grapes
    They should throw the book at Chelsea , fining them is a waste of time , a 15 point deduction might make them think twice the next time

    13
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    Mute Padraic Dalton
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    Nov 22nd 2012, 9:17 PM

    never believed for one munite that a ref of his experience would say anything like that. did anyone? Chelsea is turning into a joke of a club. Serious punishment for Chelsea as a club. No point in a financial punishment. 10 point deduction and banned from all FA cup competitions for 3 years. hope Mr Clattenberg sues for damages and deformation of character.

    11
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    Mute jrbmc
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    Nov 22nd 2012, 8:33 PM

    On a joke note now what five trophies does Rafa think her can win in 7 months???

    8
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    Mute Joseph Lynch
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    Nov 23rd 2012, 2:41 AM

    1 World Club Championship.
    2 Carling Cup (or whatever it’s called).
    3 FA Cup.
    4 Premiership.
    5 Champions League.

    Still in them all!

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    Mute alan duffy
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    Nov 22nd 2012, 11:05 PM

    It is very wrong , in every way , what Chelsea have done . But they will walk away scot free , as they did in the terry racism case . No justice or sense of fairness !!!

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    Mute ENDA KERR
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    Nov 22nd 2012, 11:06 PM

    Equally The FA is satisfied that the allegation against Mark Clattenburg by Ramires was made in good faith. It is entirely possible for a witness to be genuinely mistaken and convincing in his belief.The FA receives and investigates numerous allegations of misconduct over the course of a season. All allegations are properly investigated. It is not uncommon for investigations to lead to no disciplinary charge being brought.The FA encourages all players who believe they have been either subject, or witness to, discriminatory abuse to report the matter immediately to the match officials on the day. Furthermore, all Participants are advised to report any such alleged misconduct to The FA. In this case, the player and club were correct in reporting the matter to The FA and it was appropriate and proper for such an allegation to be thoroughly investigated.

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    Mute Thomas Flanagan
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    Nov 23rd 2012, 11:59 AM

    It is not clear. Did the FA find there was not enough evidence to prove Clattenburg made the comment at all or did they find he said the “m” word but did so innocently and without a racial motive? If they found he did make the comment but did so innocently Chelsea should not be punished. They were right to complain. It was careless use of language by a professional from whom we are entitled to expect better.

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    Mute Ellie McLean
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    Nov 23rd 2012, 12:31 PM

    The FA said he didn’t say it – this was confirmed by video evidence and by the other officials who could hear Clattenburg via headphones throughout the match

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    Mute Ellie McLean
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    Nov 23rd 2012, 12:34 PM

    Oh and also confirmed by 2 “english speaking” other Chelsea players who could hear what Clattenburg was saying during the alleged incident

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