Chelsea
have expressed regret over their handling of allegations against
referee Mark Clattenburg after a Premier League match last month.
Chelsea
also said they were sorry for the intense media scrutiny Clattenburg
was subjected to following the game against Manchester United in which
they complained about “inappropriate language” the referee had allegedly
used towards their Nigerian midfielder John Obi Mikel.
Clattenburg was cleared by the Football Association on Thursday.
Chelsea
chairman Bruce Buck held a meeting with Professional Game Match
Officials Limited, which manages top English referees, and the Premier
League to discuss the matter on Monday.
“The
club regrets not having given more consideration before issuing a
statement on the evening of Sunday 28th October,” Chelsea said in a
statement.
“The club also regrets the subsequent impact the intense media scrutiny had on Mark Clattenburg and his family.
“The
referees accept that, given Chelsea FC had received a good faith claim
from one of their employees, the club had an obligation under FA rules
to report the allegation.”
Chelsea
said they would welcome Clattenburg back to Stamford Bridge and the
referees’ governing body said it would have no hesitation in appointing
him to officiate Chelsea games.
“There
was recognition by all parties that the impartiality and integrity of
refereeing in this country remains paramount,” Chelsea said.
“All
parties now believe it is time to draw a line under this incident,
learn from it and move on for the good of all Premier League clubs,
players and match officials.”
Punch Nigeria
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