Peter Herbert, a distinguished barrister, complained to the police based on the media coverage of Mr Clattenburg’s alleged comments, rather than an eyewitness account – an action which he claimed is consistent with strategies aimed at fighting hate crimes.

Proper investigation

Mr Herbert told Sky Sports News: ‘What we don't want is for it to be swept away under the carpet. It must be subject to a full and proper investigation. It is to lend some seriousness and some weight behind what is happening in football.’
Referee Mr Clattenburg allegedly made two inappropriate comments during Chelsea’s heated 3-2 defeat to Manchester United on Sunday. Reports that one of the incidents – reportedly involving Nigerian midfielder Jon Obi Mikel – contained a racial element have not been confirmed by Chelsea.