OT- Police and now FA drop Clattenberg investigation

can't see Clattenburg being allowed to ref a Chelsea home game in the near future
effectively getting what they wanted, picking and choosing their own refs

 

I wouldn't be surprised if in 10 years or so time an investigation into referee bribery/corruption was launched and found some pretty sinister roots in the Premier League, to be honest. Probably the only conspiracy theory I have... Except thinking that one of our moderators is actually a badger (won't say who, but shall leave it to your own judgement) intent on taking over the world (and filling it with long haired ginger-types)...

Can't believe the FA investigation into the Chelsea saga has taken so long. Talk to Mark and get a statement (10 minutes), talk to Mikel and get a statement (3 minutes), talk to a LOT of Spanish interpreters (25 minutes), talk to assistant refs (10 minutes), any other potential witnesses and management (15 minutes).

Cut out the coffee, kitkats, bonking secretaries etc and you could literally have done this investigation in little more than an hour... But no...

 

I think Mikel, Ramires should make their apologies pronto. It was right for Chelsea to take it forward but now it has been proven to be incorrect, they need to begin making things right. The FA now need to look at the role the media play in the game and the access they have to certain areas post match. They should not have put this in the public domain before it had been properly investigated. It meant Chelsea had to issue a statement and although on this occasion it hasn't damaged the reputation of the individual, it could do in future.

I also think Ramires must undergo further English lessons if he wants to play here. You can't have these kind of accusations made, it is clear he has little understanding of English from what Wilkins says.

The FA should not try and sweep all this, they should act to improve how it has been dealt with and how it came about.

 

Has technically been cleared by the FA, but in there statement they pretty much just say the evidence wasn't good enough to 'bring charges to Clattenburg'

Here is the full statement:

 

Don't like Chelsea - never have. HOWEVER,
this could be avoided if all referee/linesman mics were recorder for later evidence.
It might stop some of the constant abuse they receive - remember donkey Adams a few years ago when David Elleray (I think) was recorder!
I've asked to be recorded in my job to stop baseless lies and allegations that could cost me my job and reputation. Clattenburg deserves the same.

 

This too. We need to look at what is wrong and what we can do better. 3 point plan:

Record the mics (only to be used in these kind of circumstances though)
Media restricted from certain areas post match - they should not have known what went on but did. This led to an unfair process for Clattenburg.
English lessons - Foreign players must have a better understanding of spoken English

I have no problem with the players reporting it, and no problem with Chelsea following the correct procedure but that is not to say we cannot improve the process.

Quick word on Clattenburg though. I have the utmost respect for the fella (despite some very poor decisions) in that he has made it quite clear he is not seeking compensation or looking to legal means. All he wants is to get back to refereeing. Easy to be swayed by the public support, media frenzy and putrid claims culture we live in. Also made the point that he wants channels for complaints to be made to remain open. Thoroughly decent bloke for me, He is quite right though that it should have been investigated privately. Chelsea shouldn't have made the statement but the media already knew what was going because of the access they have post match. That is not a healthy situation for me.

 

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/1236458/referee-conversations-to-be-recorded?cc=5739#