• Premier League

Clattenburg questioned as FA investigation heats up

ESPN staff
November 9, 2012
Mark Clattenburg will be out of action again this weekend © Getty Images
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Referee Mark Clattenburg has been interviewed over his alleged used of "inappropriate language" towards Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel, with the Football Association confident a verdict will be delivered in the coming days.

Clattenburg is alleged to have used a term toward Mikel that Chelsea players deemed racist during a Premier League clash with Manchester United on October 28. The club have since submitted a dossier of evidence to the FA, which includes signed statements from players supporting the claim.

The governing body started its investigation into the matter at the beginning of the week and on Thursday spoke directly to Clattenburg, as well as assistant referees Michael McDonough and Simon Long and fourth official Michael Jones. The interviews are expected to conclude on Friday, with a decision on Clattenburg's fate to be handed down soon after.

Clattenburg, who is on FIFA's shortlist for the 2014 World Cup, has reportedly denied the claims, but Chelsea believe they have compiled enough evidence to the contrary following a thorough internal investigation.

The Metropolitan Police are also looking into the alleged incident after a complaint was lodged by the Society for Black Lawyers.

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