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CLATTENBURG WILL NOT REFEREE AGAIN IF CHELSEA CLAIMS ARE TRUE
29th August 2012
Jeff was in big demand from the media today and has said that Mark Clattenburg's career as a referee could be over if he is proven to have racially abused a Chelsea player.
Clattenburg was in charge of Manchester United's 3-2 win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday and sent off Branislav Ivanovic and Fernando Torres during the match as United sealed a stunning late victory through Javier Hernandez.
But Clattenburg's conduct came into question when Chelsea revealed they had reported him for using "inappropriate language” towards two of their players. The FA today announced they have begun an investigation into to the allegations.
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Jeff said: "If a match official has used racial insults or language to a player then he's for the high jump.
"He won't be getting a four-match or an eight-match ban, it'll probably be the end of his career, but that is if indeed he did say anything.
"I feel it very unlikely that Mark Clattenburg would be allowed to referee until it's dealt with.
"We certainly don't want this going on for weeks and months."
Jeff admitted that he found it ironic that a referee that has been accused of using inappropriate language when officials are often subjected to abuse from players and fans at almost every match.
He added: "Initially it is insulting words and I must admit I smiled at that.
"We watch football matches every week of the year hearing players use insulting words to referees.
"Then somebody takes umbrage when somebody allegedly says something back. But I just hope this can be cleared.
"It's slightly ironic that players dish it out left right and centre.
"If something has been said back — and we're not talking about racial here, we're talking about like for like — then I don't think anybody's got a right to complain.
"I'm not saying referees should do it but there seems to be one law for one set of people and one law for another.
"But this inference that racial language has been used is very, very serious."
Chelsea made an official complaint to the match delegate, whose report appeared to have been passed to the FA.
A statement from English football's governing body, released in the last hour, read: "The FA has begun an investigation relating to allegations made following Sunday's fixture at Stamford Bridge between Chelsea and Manchester United (Sunday 28 October 2012).
"The FA will make no further comment at this time."
The Professional Game Match Officials confirmed the referee would not officiate a match this weekend stating: "that with any football match the focus should not be on the officials but on the players and the game itself".
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