Chelsea midfielder Mikel ready to move on from Clattenburg row
John Obi Mikel has revealed he would be happy to take part in a match refereed by Mark Clattenburg, the official accused by the Chelsea midfielder of making a racially motivated comment during a match, the Daily Mail has reported.
The Football Association investigated the claim and found Clattenburg to have done no such thing, clearing the official to return to work after a month spent on the sidelines. Clattenburg has yet to referee a match involving Chelsea, and will act as fourth official for Reading’s meeting with Arsenal on Monday.
Mikel was given a three-game ban for his behaviour in the aftermath of Chelsea’s defeat to Manchester United, the match in which Clattenburg was alleged to have insulted the Nigerian. Mikel burst into the referee’s room after teammate Ramires informed him of what he thought he heard Clattenburg say and confronted the referee, and missed Chelsea’s win over Sunderland as a result. Mikel will also be suspended for the League Cup quarter-final against Leeds United and the Premier League match with Aston Villa.
“Everything is put to bed and we move on,” Mikel said. “If he refereed a game there would certainly be no problem. I think now it is done I am glad it is over. I am sure he is glad it is over as well, and the FA is glad it is all put to bed. We can move on from here.”
Mikel is eligible for the Club World Cup, in which Chelsea are currently competing in Japan. The 25-year-old played in the semi-final victory over Monterrey of Mexico on Thursday and is in contention for Sunday’s final against Corinthians.
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