FOOTBALL’S governing body has launched an investigation after a North-East referee was accused of using inappropriate language towards two Premier League players during a top-of-the-table clash.

The Football Association (FA) yesterday began a probe into allegations County Durham-born Mark Clattenburg made inappropriate comments, which are understood to have been interpreted as racist, towards Chelsea’s John Obi Mikel and Juan Mata during Sunday’s match against Manchester United.

Chelsea made an official complaint to the match delegate and, in a statement, the FA said: “The FA has begun an investigation relating to the allegations made following Sunday’s fixture at Stamford Bridge.”

Shortly afterwards, Mr Clattenburg, 37, who is originally from Consett, stood down from refereeing for a week.

The Professional Game Match Officials board, which had earlier said he had promised to co-operate with any investigation, said: “Mark Clattenburg is one of the elite referees in world football and, in these circumstances, the intense level of scrutiny would detract from the match and be unfair to the clubs and supporters of both sides.”

The referees’ union, Prospect, pledged its backing to the official, saying in a statement: “Prospect is offering full support to Mark Clattenburg in relation to the allegations made against him.

“It is now important that the allegations are fully investigated through the proper process as quickly as possible.”

The FA investigation looks likely to involve Mr Clattenburg, Mikel and Mata being interviewed by FA compliance officers. Other players and officials could be asked to provide evidence. It is unclear if Mikel or Mata will report the matter to the police.

The Metropolitan Police last night confirmed they had received a complaint in relation to the match. A statement confirmed they will work with both Chelsea and the FA to “consider any allegation that is made”.

Mikel, Chelsea, Manchester United and anti-racist group Kick It Out have declined to comment.

Former Premier League referee Graham Poll said if Mr Clattenburg had said something, his assistant referees would have heard it, as they were connected by microphones and earpieces.

Jeff Winter, a former referee from Ingleby Barwick, near Stockton, said Mr Clattenburg’s career was doomed if he was proven to have used racial insults towards a player.