Racism allegation: Former EPL referee reveals why he can’t forgive Mikel nine years later

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Former England referee Mark Clattenburg has explained why he has not forgiven ex-Chelsea star John Mikel Obi, nine years after the controversial racist allegation that nearly ruined his career.

Clattenburg refereed at the highest level in England for 13 years and was ranked among the best European referees at the time, but a dark moment in his career was when former Super Eagles captain Mikel with the backing of his club, made the racist allegation.

In his soon-to-be-published autobiography titled Whistle Blower, Clattenburg revealed some of the undercurrents of this sad episode of racist allegations and also revealed why he had yet to forgive Mikel nearly a decade later.

As for Mikel, I have no time for him. I cannot forgive someone who refused to apologize to me. Clattenburg, who still appears hurt, said in his book although he claims he’s not surprised Chelsea and Mikel never apologized to him.

After a frenzied match against Manchester United in October 2012, the Blues lodged an official complaint with the FA against Clattenburg for his alleged use of “inappropriate language” towards Mikel with a police investigation also launched.

And although the FA cleared Clattenburg of wrongdoing and the police investigation was also subsequently dropped, Clattenburg felt he had been treated unfairly throughout the ordeal.

READ ALSO: Mikel leads Stoke City to first home league win

“It could ruin my career. It could ruin my life. Fear is worse than going to jail. I am called a racist. It’s a real life sentence, you can’t get over it.

Clattenburg, in his new books, says he still believes Chelsea’s motive could have been retaliation for John Terry’s suspension.

Although authorized by a court, Terry was convicted of racial abuse of Anton Ferdinand on a balance of probabilities.

Chelsea believed the case had not been proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

Terry was found not guilty by a court. That’s why, I think, they may have pursued the allegation against me, to test FA’s balance of probabilities standard, he wrote.

Clattenburg also suggested that fear that he would denounce Mikel for his inexplicable act of violence against him after the game could also have sparked the racist allegation, as an indictment of the former Nigerian captain would have resulted in a lengthy ban.

“I can see the rage in his eyes (Mikel). Chelsea manager Roberto Di Matteo and coach Eddie Newton hold him back. Mikel is out of control, he tries to get to me. I’ll break your legs! he shouts.

“Holy shit, he’s swinging for me. There are guns everywhere. I bend down to dodge them. A security guy grabs Mikel and pulls him away.

“It’s not easy, Mikel is strong. I put on my boots, I slip everywhere. I rolled over in some seats. I’m just trying to defend myself. He’s still determined to hurt me.

“Was I going to report Mikel for what he had done in the locker room?” Absoutely. There was no doubt what he was doing. Mikel would face a long ban.

However, before Clattenburg even got home, the racist allegation was all over the media, and days, weeks and months after that were very difficult for the former referee, who said he had struggling to accept to do what he has never done.

Although he initially considered quitting his refereeing position almost immediately, Clattenburg had to rethink his plans due to his financial need, including a mortgage he was paying at the time.

The decision to continue as referee proved to be a good one as Clattenburg went on to manage the final matches of the 2016 UEFA Champions League and Euro 2016.

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