Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has given his backing to Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg, who has been accused of racially abusing Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel.
The match official is at the centre of a complaint made by Chelsea to the Football Association regarding alleged "inappropriate language" used by the 37-year-old to Mikel during the Blues' 3-2 defeat to United at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
"I don't believe Mark Clattenburg would make any comments like that," said Ferguson. "I refuse to believe it. There's no way a referee would stoop to that, I'm convinced about that. I think it's unthinkable in the modern climate, I just don't believe it simple as that."
Reports have claimed that Clattenburg, who is currently being investigated by the Metropolitan Police, allegedly referred to Mikel as a "monkey" after showing him a yellow card for dissent during the league clash.
