'Racism' row referee sidelined again

Referee Mark Clattenburg will not referee a match for the second successive weekend it was announced Monday as football authorities pondered Chelsea allegations of "inappropriate language". Clattenburg found himself in the spotlight following Manchester United's win at Chelsea last month, with the hosts alleging after the match he'd used "inappropriate language" towards Blues midfielder John Obi Mikel. It is a charge the official is understood to have denied. Both the Football Association and the police, as a result of a complaint by the Society of Black Lawyers, are making enquiries. Mike Riley, general manager of Professional Game Match Officials Limited, said: "PGMOL was fully prepared to appoint Mark to matches this weekend. "However, having discussed this with him, we both consider that it is in Mark's best interests that he has this week away from officiating duties while he prepares to help the FA and police with their enquiries.