Clattenburg cleared - Mikel charged by FA

[Gromit]

// The Blues had claimed Clattenburg directed racial language at Mikel in their home defeat by Manchester United.
Analysis

David Bond
BBC sports editor
"The FA's verdict of no case to answer against referee Mark Clattenburg was hardly a surprise.

"Ever since it emerged the alleged victim John Obi Mikel hadn't even heard the comment but was relying on second-hand evidence from Brazilian team-mate Ramires, Chelsea's case looked as wafer thin as their managerial contracts.

"Rightly, given how high the stakes were, the FA has taken its time to be sure.

"And while their reluctance to criticise Chelsea for bringing the case is designed to avoid other players from clamming up if they believe they have been racially abused, this is yet another damaging blow for a club which seems a magnet for trouble."

Clattenburg said it was "truly frightening" to have faced the prospect that his career might be over.
Following the match at Stamford Bridge on 28 October, the FA interviewed Clattenburg, Mikel and several other Blues players before reaching its decision to clear the official and charge the Nigerian.
"It is alleged that in or around the match officials' changing room at the end of the fixture, Mikel used threatening and/or abusive and/or insulting words and/or behaviour," an FA statement read.
Mikel has until Friday, 30 November to respond. Chelsea have indicated he will not deny the charge but will request a hearing to "explain the mitigating circumstances".
The evidence for Chelsea's allegation towards Clattenburg came from their midfielder Ramires who, when interviewed, explained that his instinctive reaction was to seek confirmation from Mikel as to what the referee said.
Mikel, who was being spoken to by Clattenburg, was much closer than Ramires and did not hear what it is suggested was said to him.
The two assistant referees and the fourth official revealed they did not hear any of the comments Clattenburg was accused of making, despite being linked up to the referee via microphones. //

Should Chelsea FC be fined, and Clattenburg compensated by a similar amount?

[Flyhalf]

Yes, to Chelsea being fined, no to compensating the ref. that's a court's job if he chooses to go down that route.

[Gromit]

I seem to have two reports mixed together in that post. hope you get the gist. The full story (ungarbled) can be read here.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20420934

[Gromit]

The Referee's Union has a similar idea to mine :

// Referees' union Prospect has demanded that Chelsea apologise to Mark Clattenburg and compensate him after he was cleared of making a racist remark. //

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20454854

[ummmm]

Look how much Frankie Boyle got for a false accusation of racism. It's not a brush anyone would want to be tarred with.

If FB was awarded a large sum of money then why shouldn't Clattenburg?

[Gromit]

The false accusation of racism could have ended this man's career. A serious amount of money due to Clattenburg.

[mushroom25]

//The false accusation of racism could have ended this man's career.//

.....and his (arguably harsh) decision to send off Torres effectively ended chelsea's game. maybe this was to be a new club tactic to get back at referess who hand down what are seen as unnecessary punishments - "play the game our way, or we'll end your career".

[youngmafbog]

The most serious point is that it plays into the hands of the racists. Just as when people cry rape falsely this then belittles any genuine accusations.

[THECORBYLOON]

There may have been a genuine belief at the time that a racist remark had been made and I would have thought that unless there was a malicious intent in making the original accusation, no compensation would be due.

[LazyGun]

The Referees and Linesmen should have live microphones. Much of this uncertainty over what was said could be cleared up through witnesses and even recordings. Knowing a ref has a microphone might moderate the behaviour and language of some of the prima donnas surrounding the ref if a controversial decision has been made, especially if they implement large fines for broadcast obscenity , etc.

[derekpara]

The ref and linesmen ARE linked by microphone. Read the question fully.

[McMouse]

What was he alleged to have said?

[bazwillrun]

Ramires who according to the reports can hardly speak a word of english claims he heard the ref use the word monkey.

as we now know it was all a load of tosh, shame Ramires isnt being done for making a malicious and unfounded claim

[THECORBYLOON]

How can you be certain it was malicious?

[DTCwordfan]

The FA have taken the appropriate action. As to Clattenberg versus Mikel, that is a matter for the Courts - or for them to settle it outside Court as per the Beeb/ITV and McAlpine.

[bazwillrun]

"How can you be certain it was malicious?

quite easy really

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2237281/Mark-Clattenburg-sues-Chelsea-referee-returns-Spurs-v-West-Ham.html?ito=feeds-newsxml

[THECORBYLOON]

The report shows the club is being sued, not the player.

[flip_flop]

I've always said Chelsea are a club with no class, and the events of the past few days has reaffirmed my position.

Shame to see that Benitez has been sacked already - apparently Abramovich was unhappy that Chelsea had been without a win for 48 hours!