Sports - Ramires Still 'Adamant' That Ref Clattenburg Made Racist Remark Towards Mikel Obi
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Ramires remains adamant that he heard Mark Clattenburg make a racist comment despite Chelsea admitting their 'regret' over the affair in a statement on Wednesday, according to the Times.
In a joint statement from Chelsea, the Premier League and the Professional Game Match Officials Limited - issued in the wake of talks that were revealed by Sportsmail to have taken place on Monday - the European champions conceded that their actions caused Clattenburg and his family huge distress, even though they stopped short of apologising.
But if the Brazilian still insists he heard Clattenburg call midfielder John Obi Mikel a 'monkey' then it raises serious questions as to whether the referee can officiate at a Chelsea match in the near future.
It has even been alleged that Ramires would refuse to shake Clattenburg's hand should they meet again this season.
Ramires gave evidence to the FA that he heard the referee shout 'Shut up you monkey,' at Mikel but the governing body cleared the referee last week.
Yesterday, Chelsea admitted it had been a mistake to rush out a press release on the night of their defeat by Manchester United when the accusation that Clattenburg had called John Mikel Obi a 'monkey' was so serious.
'The club regrets not having given more consideration before issuing a statement on Sunday October 28,' said yesterday's communique.
'The club also regrets the subsequent impact the intense media scrutiny had on Mark Clattenburg and his family.'
After Monday's meeting at St George's Park between Chelsea chairman Bruce Buck, the Premier League and all 16 elite referees - including Clattenburg - it amounted to quite an admission.
But it was a statement that took all day to prepare, demanded the approval of all three parties as well as teams of lawyers, and stopped short of declaring what really needed to be said.
Chelsea officials will argue that they declined to say sorry with good reason. Firstly, they did not wish to undermine Ramires when it is widely accepted that he was sincere in his belief that Clattenburg had called Mikel a monkey during the explosive encounter at Stamford Bridge.
They also did not want to prejudice the FA's ongoing disciplinary case against Mikel.
The talks on Monday have nevertheless gone some way to repairing the damage, with all parties not ruling out a return to Stamford Bridge for Clattenburg. It is understood Buck and the official shook hands at the summit.
'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,' continued the statement.
News Source: DailyMail
But if the Brazilian still insists he heard Clattenburg call midfielder John Obi Mikel a 'monkey' then it raises serious questions as to whether the referee can officiate at a Chelsea match in the near future.
It has even been alleged that Ramires would refuse to shake Clattenburg's hand should they meet again this season.
Ramires gave evidence to the FA that he heard the referee shout 'Shut up you monkey,' at Mikel but the governing body cleared the referee last week.
Yesterday, Chelsea admitted it had been a mistake to rush out a press release on the night of their defeat by Manchester United when the accusation that Clattenburg had called John Mikel Obi a 'monkey' was so serious.
'The club regrets not having given more consideration before issuing a statement on Sunday October 28,' said yesterday's communique.
'The club also regrets the subsequent impact the intense media scrutiny had on Mark Clattenburg and his family.'
After Monday's meeting at St George's Park between Chelsea chairman Bruce Buck, the Premier League and all 16 elite referees - including Clattenburg - it amounted to quite an admission.
But it was a statement that took all day to prepare, demanded the approval of all three parties as well as teams of lawyers, and stopped short of declaring what really needed to be said.
Chelsea officials will argue that they declined to say sorry with good reason. Firstly, they did not wish to undermine Ramires when it is widely accepted that he was sincere in his belief that Clattenburg had called Mikel a monkey during the explosive encounter at Stamford Bridge.
They also did not want to prejudice the FA's ongoing disciplinary case against Mikel.
The talks on Monday have nevertheless gone some way to repairing the damage, with all parties not ruling out a return to Stamford Bridge for Clattenburg. It is understood Buck and the official shook hands at the summit.
'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,' continued the statement.
News Source: DailyMail
