Analysis of the accusations made against Mark Clattenburg by Chelsea, and what is likely to happen as a result of them
The allegations that Mark Clattenburg used a "racist slur" when addressing Mikel John Obi closed a difficult year for the domestic game. This began in October 2011 with similar incidents involving Luis Suárez and Patrice Evra during Liverpool's meeting with Manchester United at Anfield, and John Terry and Anton Ferdinand in Queens Park Rangers's match with Chelsea at Loftus Road. Suarez received an eight-game ban and a £40,000 fine; Terry a four-match ban and a £220,000 fine.
What is alleged to have taken place?
United kick off at Stamford Bridge with Ashley Cole and Rio Ferdinand having exchanged handshakes following the Kick It Out T-shirt protests of the previous weekend which were provoked by the disquiet at the Football Association's handling of the Terry case, and his punishment.
On what was a highly controversial afternoon, Chelsea conceded two early goals before Mikel was booked by Clattenburg in the 76th minute. The Nigerian's yellow card, which was issued for dissent following Javier Hernández's winner seconds earlier, scored from an offside position, was the moment when Clattenburg's alleged racial slur of Mikel is claimed to have occurred.
Mikel and his Chelsea colleagues were also incensed at Clattenburg, who sent off Branislav Ivanovic on 63 minutes, for the second yellow card he issued to Fernando Torres shortly before Hernández's winner. The decision to dismiss the Spaniard for perceived simulation after a tackle by Jonny Evans infuriated the Chelsea manager, Roberto Di Matteo, and his staff.
It is unclear when Clattenburg is alleged to have aimed "inappropriate language" at the Spaniard Juan Mata. During United's celebrations of Hernández's goal, a steward was injured due to a surge from home fans unhappy at the United players' jubilation.
When was the complaint lodged?
While Di Matteo's public post-match comments criticised only Clattenburg's on-field decisions, the manager had already been made aware of the allegations made against the official, and spoken to him. At some point after the match, Mikel is also thought to have visited Clattenburg to speak with him. Chelsea drafted their complaint to the Premier League match delegate and at 8pm announced their official protest.
A statement reads: "We have a lodged a complaint to the Premier League match delegate with regards to inappropriate language used by the referee and directed at two of our players in two separate incidents during today's match."
The match delegate, Nick Cusack, recorded the official complaint and included it in a report filed to the FA. In response, at round 9.35pm the Professional Game Match Officials Board – the body which controls Premier League referees – issued its own statement saying it was "aware of the allegations" and that "Mark [Clattenburg] will cooperate fully and welcomes the opportunity for the facts to be established".
Who is the match delegate and what was in his report?
Cusack, 46, is a former chairman of the Professional Footballers' Association, who played for clubs including Leicester City, Motherwell and Fulham before retirement in 2002.
Cusack acted purely in a secretarial capacity on Sunday evening, recording Chelsea's complaint. It is understood that Clattenburg filed his own "extraordinary report" to the FA regarding the accusations.
What happened next?
On Monday morning, the referees' union offered its full support to Clattenburg. A statement says: "Prospect is committed to helping to eradicate racism in football and in society generally. In the context of that commitment, Prospect is offering full support to Mark Clattenburg in relation to the allegations made against him." At 3pm, the FA confirmed an investigation was being launched "relating to allegations made following Sunday's fixture at Stamford Bridge" to decide if he should be charged.
How long will the FA's inquiry last?
There is no definitive timescale though the FA will hope to reach a decision regarding whether Clattenburg has a case to answer as soon as possible.
Who will the FA speak to?
Mikel, Mata, and Clattenburg, as the key people at the centre of the allegations. Clattenburg's assistant referees, Michael McDonough and Simon Long, plus the fourth official Michael Jones, who were in ongoing conversation via their two-way microphone system during the game. If Clattenburg used the terms alleged then McDonough, Long and Jones should have heard them. Yet as Fifa, the game's global governing body, ruled that these conversations should not be recorded, any evidence depends on the officials' memories.
The FA will also wish to speak with any players from either side who were close to the pair during the separate alleged incidents. Di Matteo and any of his backroom staff who have potential evidence will also be spoken to.
Why are conversations between officials not recorded?
This is a Fifa directive. The Guardian contacted the governing body but it was unable to offer an explanation. Gordon Taylor, the PFA chief executive, believes the practice should be adopted: "That could be an aid for clarity over what exactly has happened."
Are there any precedents?
While not an exact precedent, Chelsea lodged a complaint against Graham Poll in November 2006 after he sent off Terry during a 2-1 defeat by Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane , a decision that caused fury among his team-mates and José Mourinho, then the manager.
Two years ago Poll told the Daily Mail: "Terry came to see me immediately after the game, the first time in my career any player had done that. He seemed happy to accept my explanation of the two yellow cards. But the day after the game Ashley Cole accused me of having told Chelsea's players I wanted to 'teach them a lesson' and Terry said I had said one thing to him on the pitch and another in the dressing room after the game. A fortnight later Chelsea withdrew all of their allegations and Terry was fined £10,000 for what he had claimed."
What punishment could Clattenburg face if charged then found guilty?
A fine plus a lengthy ban, or even being struck off for life, according to Jeff Winter, a referee of more than 25 years. "If a match official has used racial insults or language to a player then he's for the high jump," he told Radio 5 Live . "He won't be getting a four-match or an eight-match ban, it'll probably be the end of his career, but that is if indeed he did say anything."
What lessons can the FA learn?
In a word, brevity. The FA will be keen that the timescale of the investigation and prosecution of any potential charge is succinct after Suárez's case took two months to complete, and Terry's a year. "We've got to learn the lessons of the last 12 months," Taylor said. "This is extremely serious for the referee involved so that's why it's important that it is dealt with in the most thorough manner and as quickly, efficiently, and transparently as possible."
Why has Clattenburg been omitted for this weekend's games?
According to the PGMO, the body "believes that with any football match the focus should not be on the officials but on the players and the game itself. Mark Clattenburg is one of the elite referees in world football and, in these circumstances, the intense level of scrutiny would detract from the match and be unfair to the clubs and the supporters of both sides".
Could it lead to criminal investigation?
Quite possibly, after the Society of Black Lawyers wrote to the Metropolitan Police Service demanding that they look into the incident. "Although this matter may be investigated by the FA, it is appropriate that the MPS independently see if a racially-aggravated offence has occurred," they wrote. The police confirmed they had received the letter but said it was by no means certain an investigation would follow. Separately, the force has launched an investigation into the incident where the steward was injured.
What about the FA's Respect campaign?
Whether Clattenburg is charged or not, this latest episode hardly helps relations and tensions within the game as the focus now shifts to Wednesday evening, when Lee Mason officiates the same two sides in a Capital One Cup tie.
How have racism groups responded?
Currently, Kick It Out is not commenting, keeping a watching brief.
Read more... Chelsea's claims a calamity for Mark Clattenburg, but what happens next?
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