London police launch probe into referee claims

Oct 30, 2012 |

London

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A new criminal investigation into racism in English football began on Tuesday when police formally opened a case into claims a referee directed "inappropriate language" at two Chelsea players during a match.

Referee Mark Clattenburg is accused of abusing midfielders John Obi Mikel and Juan Mata during Sunday's 3-2 loss to Manchester United in the Premier League, according to the lawyer whose complaint sparked the police investigation.

A day after the globally televised match, Society of Black Lawyers chairman Peter Herbert said he asked officers to look into whether a "racially aggravated offense has occurred" at Stamford Bridge.

The Metropolitan Police responded in a statement on Tuesday by announcing that "an investigation has been launched into alleged comments made during a football match between Chelsea FC and Manchester United FC.”

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