Winter: Racism claims could end Mark's career
PRESSURE ... referee Mark Clattenburg deals with John Obi Mikel during Sunday's match
MARK CLATTENBURG’S career as a referee could be over if he is proven to have racially abused a Chelsea player.
That is the view of former Premier League official Jeff Winter, who spent 25 years in the game before retiring at the top in 2004.
Clattenburg was in charge of Manchester United’s 3-2 win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
He sent off Branislav Ivanovic and Fernando Torres during the match as United sealed a stunning late victory through Javier Hernandez.
But the ref’s conduct came into question when Chelsea revealed they had reported him for using "inappropriate language” towards two of their players.
And the FA today announced they have begun an investigation into to the allegations.
Luis Suarez and John Terry were banned for using racist language during matches this year but were not axed by their clubs.
However, Winter 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.”
Clattenburg was unavailable for comment directly but the Professional Game Match Officials said the referee has promised to co-operate with any investigation.
The FA are expected to receive today the match delegate’s report in which Chelsea have made the allegations.
Winter feels there is no way that Clattenburg can continue refereeing while the allegations are hanging over him.
He added: “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.”
Winter admitted that he found it ironic that a referee that has been accused of using inappropriate language.
Officials are often subjected to abuse from players and fans at almost every match.
Winter 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.”
Fellow former ref Graham Poll believes Clattenburg's assistants will be key to the investigation.
He said: "A referee's microphone is on open. Everything he says is heard by two assistants.
"So if Mark said something, the assistants would have heard it.
"If a comment of a racial nature was made, I think it should be reported and I think assistant referees will report it because there's no place for it."
Meanwhile, Prospect, the referees' union, said: "We are committed to helping to eradicate racism in football and in society generally.
"In the context of that commitment, Prospect is offering full support to Mark Clattenburg in relation to the allegations made against him.
"It is now important that the allegations are fully investigated through the proper process as quickly as possible.
"We will be making no further comment at this stage."
Clattenburg will not officiate a game in the Premier League this coming weekend.
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