EPL Referee Mark Clattenburg Cleared Of Racism Charges By FA, Heads Back To Work

EPL referee Mark Clattenburg is "free to resume his career" after the FA decided there is "no case to answer" over the allegations made following a heated and controversial encounter between Chelsea and ManU on Oct. 28, according to the Scotland DAILY RECORD. Following the decision, Clattenburg spoke of his relief and said the last few weeks had been "the most stressful of his life." Clattenburg: "To know you were innocent of something but that there was the opportunity for it to wreck your career was truly frightening." The FA said that the evidence had been considered by independent Queen's Council David Waters who ruled Brazilian midfielder Ramires' claim "was not supported by any other evidence and disputed by the other match officials." An FA statement added: "Moreover it was contradicted by other witnesses and does not cross the evidential threshold required to bring a charge against Mark Clattenburg." Also, Chelsea midfielder John Mikel has now been charged by the FA for "using threatening words or behaviour after going into the referees' changing room after the match in question." The FA said, "The player has until Friday 30 November 2012 to respond to the charge" (DAILY RECORD, 11/22).