Ex-Premier League referee slams John Obi Mikel; accuses Chelsea man of trying to ruin his life
Mark Clattenburg has slammed former Chelsea star John Obi Mikel for trying to ruin his career.
Former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg has claimed that John Obi Mikel accused him of using racist language during Chelsea’s 3-2 loss to Manchester United in 2012. He admitted to making errors in the game, including a red card for Fernando Torres.
Speaking to Adebayo Akinfenwa on his Beast Mode On Podcast, Clattenburg recalled Mikel throwing punches in the dressing room after the match. He believes that the former Chelsea man should have apologised for the punches and accused him of being a racist.
He added that the accusations almost wrecked his life, as he considered quitting but had to continue because he had a family to take care of and a mortgage to pay. The former referee said:
“Chelsea-Manchester United at Stamford Bridge in 2012. It was controversial. I sent off Fernando Torres, which was subjective, and the third goal of Manchester United was offside. It was one of those where he’s come from an offside position into an inside position, more tough for an assistant, and he got it wrong, we didn’t have VAR and Manchester United won 3-2.”
“There was a lot of frustration after the game, but if a footballer wants to come in and assault us and threw punches in my dressing room and comes into my dressing room, he got a three-match suspension after it.”
“After the investigation of being accused of calling Obi Mikel some racist words, however, I was proven not guilty by the Football Association because the cameras disproved their argument. Wayne Rooney and Ashley Cole were closer, and both of them said they didn’t hear anything. However, Ramires did who didn’t speak any English.”
“For years, I’ve given a lot to the management of football players. Years later, he still can’t apologise, which sums up the person he is because he nearly wrecked my life and nearly wrecked my career.”
John Obi Mikel was handed a 3-match ban and fined £60,000 by The FA for threatening Mark Clattenburg.
