TICKER: Referee Mark Clattenburg: Sir Alex Ferguson thinks Mikel must be lying

Sir Alex Ferguson does not believe referee Mark Clattenburg used “inappropriate language” towards Chelsea player John Mikel Obi.

The Blues accused Clattenburg of making a racist remark during their 3-2 defeat by United at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

“I don’t believe he would make comments like that,” said Ferguson. “I refuse to believe it. It’s unthinkable.”

Chelsea have made a formal complaint to the Football Association against 37-year-old Clattenburg.

The west London club said the complaint was made following a thorough investigation, which they say was led by outside legal counsel and used information from interviews with Blues players and staff.

Clattenburg maintains his innocence and neither of his assistants, nor the fourth official, support Chelsea’s allegations.

“There is not a referee who would stoop to that,” added Ferguson. “I’m convinced by that.

“I’ve never had a player come to me in the last 15 years and say a referee swore in a game – ever.

“If we see the game today as it was 25 years ago it’s completely changed. I played myself and I know that the banter which went on between referees and players 25 years ago is different to today.”

The Metropolitan Police also started an investigation into the alleged comments after receiving a complaint from a source outside the game.

Newcastle-based Clattenburg, who has been stood down for this weekend’s round of matches, took charge of his first Football League game aged only 25 in 2000.

BBC Sport

One comment

  1. He should think what he likes that is his business.

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