As is a recurring habit with Mark Clattenburg, his refereeing succeeded in taking centre stage in the biggest game of the Premier League this season: Chelsea vs. Manchester United.
The way he stole the show didn’t just cost Chelsea a point or three, its aftermath could also cause palpitations throughout English football, and mark the end of Clattenburg’s career.
Never a stranger to controversy, he helped the visitors to a win via a dubious second yellow card given to Fernando Torres after he was clearly tripped by United defender Jonny Evans. It took Chelsea down to nine men following Branislav Ivanovic’s dismissal five minutes earlier.
As expected, Manchester United made the numerical advantage count, and the in-form Javier Hernandez scored the final goal in a valuable 3-2 away win. To make matters worse for Chelsea, the Mexican was clearly offside when he bundled Rafael’s cross home.
But it’s the claims that have been made by Chelsea that makes the game’s incidents seem rather trivial: investigations have begun as to whether Clattenburg used racist language when addressing two of the Blues’ players. He has been relieved of refereeing duties for the upcoming weekend by the FA in attempt to protect him from media scrutiny and, inevitably, torrents of abuse from the stands.
Following Sunday’s game, an impassioned John Obi Mikel, flanked by other members of Chelsea’s staff, demanded an explanation from Clattenburg after he apparently used a racial slur against the Nigerian midfielder during the game. Juan Mata, Chelsea’s mesmeric Spanish midfielder, is also a target of Clattenburg’s alleged xenophobia.
So far, the 2012-13 campaign in England will already be remembered for a few episodes. Manchester City’s woeful performance in the Champions’ League and QPR’s ineptitude in the Premier League are two of many that spring to mind.
But what threatens to mar this campaign is that racism is easily the Premier League’s biggest story. For such a multicultural league – a league that at the end of last season had seen 100 nationalities represented on the pitch since its inception in 1992 – it’s ironic that this is what dominates.
The episode of Luis Suarez using the word "negrito" to abuse Patrice Evra still simmers in England. He’s a hate figure, and his play-acting and poor sportsmanship has led to the Uruguayan and Liverpool FC to claim that he’s targeted by referees.
This year, the case of John Terry abusing Anton Ferdinand has been resolved to the tune of a four match ban and a 220,000 pound fine. Pretty lenient considering the vulgar words Terry used during their exchange, and also lenient because the aforementioned Suarez had double the ban. The controversy saw Terry, the most unpopular England captain of all time, retire from international football and, like Suarez, he is ostracized at every stadium he visits.
Two weeks ago players were encouraged to wear T-shirts endorsing the Kick It Out campaign during their pre-game warm-ups, in a bid to spread the word for the anti-racism football body. However, a lack of action over the past few years – made worse by the recent incidents and the inadequate fines and bans received – has caused many players to speak out.
Due to the recent events, Anton Ferdinand didn’t wear a t-shirt, and was supported in his actions by Manchester United defender and brother Rio Ferdinand.
The most vocal of the raiment rebels was Reading striker Jason Roberts who suggested that clubs should follow the Rooney Rule, a system where clubs have to interview a black or ethnic minority candidate for a head coach or senior football operation position. It has proved successful since it’s induction in NFL in 2003.
In the meantime, it has been revealed by a leading human rights barrister that talks are underway to create a separate footballing body called the Black Players’ Association.
The English Football Association is at risk of being the peacemaker between many fall-outs from herein if numerous different organisations crop up. The more groups with different ideas that are established, the greater chances of conflict within the English game there will be.
The fact that these divisions are due to colour and race is archaic and embarrassing, and is the worst possible advertisement for the most watched league in the world.