Referee Mark Clattenburg to be investigated by following Chelsea claim

The Football Association has started an investigation into accusations made by Chelsea against referee Mark Clattenburg following Manchester United's 3-2 win at Stamford Bridge on Sunday. Chelsea have made a formal complaint against referee Clattenburg, accusing him of using "inappropriate language" towards two of their players during the match. It is claimed Clattenburg used racial language. Clattenburg has not been picked to officiate at a match this weekend. A statement from referees' governing body, the Professional Game Match Officials (PGMO), board said: "PGMO believe 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." The FA issued a statement on Monday confirming it has started an investigation, but they haven't released any details. Reports claim midfielder John Mikel Obi is involved in the complaint. Peter Herbert, the lawyer behind the potential black players' breakaway union, has made a written complaint to the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) regarding the matter. "Our information is that racist remarks were directed at John Mikel Obi and at Juan Mata. If so, that is wholly unacceptable in any circumstances," wrote Herbert. "Although this matter may be investigated by the FA it is appropriate that the MPS independently see if a racially aggravated offence has occurred." The Metropolitan Police confirmed it had received a complaint. "Officers from Hammersmith & Fulham borough have been in contact with Chelsea Football Club today (29 October), regarding the widely-reported club referral of the referee's behaviour to the Football Association," an MPS statement read. "At this time, the Metropolitan Police has not received any complaint from either Chelsea Football Club or the Football Association. We will work in partnership with Chelsea Football Club and the Football Association in order to consider any allegation that is made in relation to the reported events." When Chelsea FC confirmed they would be making a complaint on Sunday, PGMO issued a statement confirming Clattenburg would co-operate with any investigation. "PGMO is aware of the allegations and they are being treated with the utmost seriousness," a statement read. "Mark will co-operate fully and welcomes the opportunity for the facts to be established." Clattenburg, aged 37, is viewed by the PGMO as one of England's leading officials and is on the Fifa list. The referee was put in charge of the League Cup final in February and the Olympic final between Brazil and Mexico in August. Former Premier League official Graham Poll has suggested Chelsea's complaint could rely on evidence from Clattenburg's assistants and the fourth official. Linesmen Michael McDonough and Simon Long and fourth official Michael Jones may have heard conversations between Clattenburg and the players because all four of them wear microphones and ear pieces that allow them to hear what each other is saying during the game. "A referee's microphone is on open. Everything he says is heard by the assistants," Poll said. "So if Mark said something, the assistants would have heard it." Branislav Ivanovic and Fernando Torres were shown red cards in the space of just five minutes, with the second decision being strongly disputed by Chelsea officials.