Mikel (l) and Clattenburg
Mikel (l) and Clattenburg

Scotland Yard dropped its investigation into alleged racist comments by Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg to Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel.

Chelsea alleged Mikel was racially abused by Clattenburg during last month's 3-2 defeat to Premier League title rivals, Manchester Utd.

Mikel reportedly insisted several times after the tempestuous clash that Clattenburg had made a race slur against him during the match.

A Metropolitan Police Spokesman said: "Without a victim or any evidence that any offence has been committed, the matter cannot currently be investigated.

"If the situation changes and a victim and/or evidence to support an allegation of a crime comes to police attention then further enquiries will if appropriate be made."

Chelsea did not make the complaint to the police. That was done by the Black Lawyer's Society. But the Stamford Bridge club did complain to the FA.

But the matter was not settled by the announcement. The European champion's complained also to the FA, which is conducting its own investigation.

Chairman Bruce Buck defended the club's decision to pursue its player's claim against Clattenburg

"It [the decision] was made after a great deal of anguish and after talking long and hard that evening about what should we do," he told the Evening Standard.

"Suppose we had tried to sweep this under the rug and said to the various players, 'Look, it's not a big deal and the press are going to be all over us, maybe you want to reconsider." If that had leaked out, we would've really been crucified."

"Misconduct is a defined term under the FA regulations and includes such racial behaviour. We also had to ­consider the Equality Act 2010, which imposes an obligation on an employer to take certain actions if an employee is subject to discrimination by third parties.