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Metropolitan Police drop Clattenburg investigation

Mark Clattenburg will not referee a game this weekend © PA Photos

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A police investigation into referee Mark Clattenburg's alleged use of inappropriate language during Chelsea's Premier League game against Manchester United at Stamford Bridge on October 28 has been stopped due to a lack of evidence.

Chelsea complained that Clattenburg, 37, used a term understood to have been interpreted as racist towards midfielder John Obi Mikel. But Scotland Yard confirmed that the failure of a victim to come forward has led to a decision being taken to halt the investigation.

"Inquiries were made and no victims have come forward," the Metropolitan Police said in a statement. "The matter will remain as a recorded incident. Without a victim and/or any evidence that any offence has been committed, the matter cannot currently be investigated.

"If the situation changes and a victim and/or evidence to support an allegation of a crime comes to police attention, then further inquiries will, if appropriate, be made."

Since the complaint has been made Clattenburg has not officiated a Premier League game, and he has been omitted from next weekend's list of officials. Clattenburg and referees chief Mike Riley decided jointly that he should not be in charge of matches while the case has been going on.

There has been no comment on his future as an official, although he returned to training with the top-flight Select Group of referees last weekend for the first time since Chelsea's complaint.

The FA is yet to make a decision on the matter after conducting its own investigation.

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