The Official Thread of Chelsea FC

[orangeman]

Chelsea still not getting it lads.

They regret the way they handlded the Clattenburg incident. But no apology.

Chelsea regret handling of Mark Clattenburg racism accusation
Chelsea say they "regret" the way they handled their accusation that referee Mark Clattenburg used racial language towards midfielder John Mikel Obi.

The allegations were dismissed by the Football Association and the police dropped their own inquiry.

The club also indicated they would be happy for Clattenburg to referee at Stamford Bridge in future.

Clattenburg's boss, the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), also said it would have "no issue" in appointing him to Chelsea fixtures.

A joint statement by the Premier League, PGMOL and Chelsea said: "It is time to draw a line under this incident."

Clattenburg missed four weekends of Premier League matches while the FA investigated Chelsea's complaint, but will return to referee Norwich's match at Southampton on Wednesday.

The FA cleared him last week of using "inappropriate language" towards Mikel in Chelsea's home defeat by Manchester United on 28 October following claims by Blues midfielder Ramires.

In Tuesday'sjoint statement, Chelsea insisted they had been duty bound to report the allegation to the FA.

"The referees accept that, given Chelsea FC had received a good faith claim from one of their employees, the club had an obligation under FA rules to report the allegation," the statement read.

However, Chelsea acknowledged that making the allegations public immediately after the game led to unwelcome press attention towards Clattenburg and his family.


"The club regrets not having given more consideration before issuing a statement on the evening of Sunday, 28 October," the statement continued. The club also regrets the subsequent impact the intense media scrutiny had on Mark Clattenburg and his family."

The meeting between PGMOL, the Premier League and Chelsea took place on Monday at England's National Football Centre, St George's Park.

PGMOL were represented by general manager Mike Riley and all 16 top-flight referees, the Premier League by chief executive Richard Scudamore and Chelsea FC by club chairman Bruce Buck.

Referees' union Prospect welcomed the joint statement and said the use of the word "regrets" was "tantamount to, and accepted by Mark and the Select Group [of referees], as an apology".

"Importantly the statement also refers to Chelsea's willingness to welcome Mark back to Stamford Bridge," Prospect continued.

"This was an important move forward in confirming Chelsea's recognition of Mark's integrity and impartiality."

The 37-year-old always denied the charges and the Metropolitan Police dropped its own inquiry earlier this month.

Clattenburg admitted that he feared that the allegations could have brought an end to his career as a referee.

"To know you were innocent of something but that there was the opportunity for it to wreck your career was truly frightening," he said in a statement after being cleared by the FA.

Upon clearing Clattenburg, the FA charged Mikel with misconduct following his involvement in the incident.

Chelsea have indicated he will not deny the charge but will request a hearing to "explain the mitigating circumstances".

[ballinaman]

As the song goes....sorry seems to be the hardest word.

[AQMP]

Chelsea still not getting it lads.

They regret the way they handlded the Clattenburg incident. But no apology.

Chelsea regret handling of Mark Clattenburg racism accusation
Chelsea say they "regret" the way they handled their accusation that referee Mark Clattenburg used racial language towards midfielder John Mikel Obi.

The allegations were dismissed by the Football Association and the police dropped their own inquiry.

The club also indicated they would be happy for Clattenburg to referee at Stamford Bridge in future.

Clattenburg's boss, the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), also said it would have "no issue" in appointing him to Chelsea fixtures.

A joint statement by the Premier League, PGMOL and Chelsea said: "It is time to draw a line under this incident."

Clattenburg missed four weekends of Premier League matches while the FA investigated Chelsea's complaint, but will return to referee Norwich's match at Southampton on Wednesday.

The FA cleared him last week of using "inappropriate language" towards Mikel in Chelsea's home defeat by Manchester United on 28 October following claims by Blues midfielder Ramires.

In Tuesday's joint statement, Chelsea insisted they had been duty bound to report the allegation to the FA.

"The referees accept that, given Chelsea FC had received a good faith claim from one of their employees, the club had an obligation under FA rules to report the allegation," the statement read.

However, Chelsea acknowledged that making the allegations public immediately after the game led to unwelcome press attention towards Clattenburg and his family.

"The club regrets not having given more consideration before issuing a statement on the evening of Sunday, 28 October," the statement continued. The club also regrets the subsequent impact the intense media scrutiny had on Mark Clattenburg and his family."

The meeting between PGMOL, the Premier League and Chelsea took place on Monday at England's National Football Centre, St George's Park.

PGMOL were represented by general manager Mike Riley and all 16 top-flight referees, the Premier League by chief executive Richard Scudamore and Chelsea FC by club chairman Bruce Buck.

Referees' union Prospect welcomed the joint statement and said the use of the word "regrets" was "tantamount to, and accepted by Mark and the Select Group [of referees], as an apology".

"Importantly the statement also refers to Chelsea's willingness to welcome Mark back to Stamford Bridge," Prospect continued.

"This was an important move forward in confirming Chelsea's recognition of Mark's integrity and impartiality."

The 37-year-old always denied the charges and the Metropolitan Police dropped its own inquiry earlier this month.

Clattenburg admitted that he feared that the allegations could have brought an end to his career as a referee.

"To know you were innocent of something but that there was the opportunity for it to wreck your career was truly frightening," he said in a statement after being cleared by the FA.

Upon clearing Clattenburg, the FA charged Mikel with misconduct following his involvement in the incident.

Chelsea have indicated he will not deny the charge but will request a hearing to "explain the mitigating circumstances".

Some people obviously don't get what a "joint statement" is?

[Norf Tyrone]

Zzzzz

Orangeman- Did United regret, or apologise to Sam Bethnall?

[Bingo]

If Chelsea, as reported, have engaged with Clattenburg and he is happy the matter is closed and it is very likely that he has therefore received a personal or private apology, then fair enough move on.

I always think that a public apology is to keep other people happy rather than the agrieved. Its more meaningful if you do it face to face or over a call. Easy to do it in public and not mean it.

Case closed, move on.

[imtommygunn]

I don't know enough about this case but was it a misunderstanding or was there maliciousness in it?

If things were made up then the person that made them up should be punished. If they weren't then fair enough move on but I would see it as important that this kind of thing doesn't happen again. This isn't good in general for Clattenburg. While he is cleared some people have a habit of branding people and to some degree he may suffer that.

[angermanagement]

I'd say the most important thing (or what RA and Chelsea fans hope) for Rafa is to get Torres working.

The problem is, is that this is 'get Torres working' Version IV.

I always wonder how detailed the medical was the day that transfer was rushed through. I'd prefer to give Sturridge the chance he never has got.

One for the conspiracy theorists.

http://en-prosa.tumblr.com/post/36326276870/today-i-gathered-some-facts-about-fernandos

[ludermor]

Zzzzz

Orangeman- Did United regret, or apologise to Sam Bethnall?

Whataboutery at its finest.

[EC Unique]

If Chelsea, as reported, have engaged with Clattenburg and he is happy the matter is closed and it is very likely that he has therefore received a personal or private apology, then fair enough move on.

I always think that a public apology is to keep other people happy rather than the agrieved. Its more meaningful if you do it face to face or over a call. Easy to do it in public and not mean it.

Case closed, move on.

If they were happy to go public with the accusations then ......

[Norf Tyrone]

Zzzzz

Orangeman- Did United regret, or apologise to Sam Bethnall?

Whataboutery at its finest.

Say it is then.

Still doesn't help me understand people's thirst for Chelsea to say 'sorry' in public, as opposed to United's treatment of Sam Bethnal. Can you explain it?

[Lecale2]

Who is Sam Bethnal?

[Norf Tyrone]

Who is Sam Bethnal?

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/manchester-united/3569115/Manchester-Uniteds-Patrice-Evra-banned-for-four-matches-over-Chelsea-altercation-Football.html

[Aaron Boone]

2 out of 6 pts for Benitez, no losses Rafa. Defence is sound for my fantasy team. Sam Bethnall solid in midfield when he came on.

[johnneycool]

2 out of 6 pts for Benitez, no losses Rafa. Defence is sound for my fantasy team. Sam Bethnall solid in midfield when he came on.

Yeah,
  I heard Sam covered every blade of grass.

[StGallsGAA]

Still doesn't help me understand people's thirst for Chelsea to say 'sorry' in public, as opposed to United's treatment of Sam Bethnal. Can you explain it?

The groundsman was the one who abused Evra or did you miss that point?  Whilst the racist element may not have been proven as no-one else was close enough to overhear what was said, Bethell behaving like a tr**p was never in doubt.

Chelsea were found to have failed in their responsibility to ensure that their employee (Bethell) conducted himself in an orderly fashion and refrained from abusive and provocative conduct and language.