The Football Association has said that it will not take any action against referee Mark Clattenburg in relation to an incident involving Southampton midfielder Adam Lallana.
The Saints went to both the FA and the refereeing body Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) after Clattenburg allegedly insulted Lallana during the Premier League match at Everton on December 29.
Southampton claimed in a letter to PGMOL that Clattenburg told Lallana: "You are very different now, since you've played for England - you never used to be like this."
Today, the FA joined PGMOL in saying that the 38-year-old had no case to answer.
A statement read: "The FA has given its full consideration to this matter and it is our view that the comments, as disclosed in Southampton's letter of complaint, do not constitute misconduct under The FA's Rules.
"Consequently, The FA will not be taking any further action in relation to this matter and now considers this case to be closed."
Clattenburg was also involved in controversy last season when he was accused of racially abusing Chelsea's John Obi Mikel, but a subsequent FA investigation found the claims to be unfounded.
Pascal Lemesre
