• Premier League

Warnock 'disgusted' with attempt to 'kill' Clattenburg

ESPN staff
October 30, 2012
Neil Warnock has a history of berating officials © PA Photos
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Leeds manager Neil Warnock has accused Chelsea of trying to "kill" referee Mark Clattenburg, and suggested the club would not have complained about his performance had they beaten Manchester United on Sunday.

The Metropolitan Police and FA have both launched investigations into Chelsea's claim that Clattenburg, who sent off two Blues players in their 3-2 loss to United, used "inappropriate language" towards two of their players, believed to be Juan Mata and John Obi Mikel.

Warnock has a history of clashing with officials, but has emerged as an unlikely voice offering support to Clattenburg. "You know my relationship with referees but I have got to say I am disgusted with what's gone on. I'm on Mark Clattenburg's side," Warnock said to talkSPORT.

"We ask referees to man-manage and that's what he does. I'm sure he might have said a few things but are you telling me if Chelsea had won that game that there would have been one iota of a complaint?

"He's not had the best of games but the Torres one was the one decision he got slightly wrong [Torres was shown a second yellow card for diving]. I think he has made a mistake but they are trying to kill him and I don't agree with that at all.

"Let's wait and see when it all comes out. Hopefully, everything has been caught. I hope, if it is proved wrong, that the players, whatever they alleged Mark to have said, get done as well."

Clattenburg has been removed from the list of referees for this weekend's fixtures in light of the allegations made against him.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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