Referee Mark Clattenburg was cleared on Thursday by the English Football Association of using racist language toward a Chelsea player during a Premier League match.
Chelsea midfielder Ramires said he heard Clattenburg tell teammate John Obi Mikel “shut up you monkey” during the October 28 match against Manchester United at Stamford Bridge, but the FA decided there was no evidence to back up the accusation.
“The FA has concluded its investigation into alleged misconduct by Mark Clattenburg,” the FA said in a statement on its website. “In view of all the circumstances of the case, the FA does not believe that there is a case for Mr. Clattenburg to answer.”
According to the FA statement, Mikel did not hear what Ramires claimed Clattenburg said.
Both the Chelsea players are black. Mikel is from Nigeria and Ramires from Brazil.
Separately, Mikel was charged Thursday with misconduct by the FA for “threatening and/or abusive and/or insulting words and/or behaviour” after the game when he reportedly went into the referee’s changing room to confront Clattenburg. Mikel has until Nov. 30 to respond to the charge.
“Chelsea Football Club accepts the Football Association’s decision regarding Mark Clattenburg and welcomes the fact that the FA recognises the club and players were correct in reporting the matter,” Chelsea said.